Patents Assigned to ConAgra Foods
  • Whole grain flour and products including same
    Patent number: 8404298
    Abstract: A grain product includes a first fraction including bran and a second fraction including germ. The first fraction is milled to a first particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The second fraction is milled to a second particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The grain product is at least one of: a food product, a nutritional supplement, a dietary supplement, a fiber supplement, a digestive supplement, a functional food, and a medical food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Food Ingredients Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Arndt, Theodore Korolchuk
  • FIBER PARTICLE SIZE REDUCTION IN FIBER-CONTAINING FOOD SLURRIES
    Publication number: 20130045315
    Abstract: Techniques are described to increase product viscosity in fiber-containing food slurries having a given amount of food solids. The techniques employ one or more PSR operations as the last unit operation prior to filling to reduce particle size within the food slurry and increase product viscosity. In one or more implementations, the PSR operation may comprise an aseptic cold PSR operation such as aseptic cold homogenization. In embodiments, the PSR operation may further be controlled to reduce variability in the viscosity of the finished product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge K. Succar, Jerry J. Costales, Khaled Khatib, Jennifer R. Mancuso
  • ACRYLAMIDE MITIGATION AND COLOR MANAGEMENT IN A FORMED POTATO AGGREGATE
    Publication number: 20130045312
    Abstract: A process for mitigating acrylamide formation in a formed potato aggregate is disclosed. The acrylamide formation is mitigated while the color formation of the formed potato aggregate is managed. The resulting reconstituted potato aggregate includes low acrylamide levels while exhibiting acceptable organoleptic properties such as taste, color, and texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: JEREMY SCOTT HIGLEY, CLIFFORD LOUIS HOYE, JR., GORDON LEE SMITH
  • COOKING METHOD AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20130011526
    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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: ADAM PAWLICK, KEITH GOERL, MICHAEL R. OPAT, JR., JULIA A. ZIELKE, STEVEN R. BAKER, DAVID W. FRANCE
  • Cutter assembly for concave tapered food product
    Patent number: 8347511
    Abstract: A concave tapered food product includes a cross section and a second end having a shape defined by a generally concave arc and a generally convex arc. The concave tapered food product has a first side and a second side shaped by a longitudinal cut along the foodstuff. A cutter assembly for cutting a foodstuff to form the concave tapered food product includes a housing member. The cutter assembly also includes a curvilinear blade including a cutting edge for cutting the foodstuff, the cutting edge defining an arc along a first portion of the curvilinear blade and a foot positioned at an end of the curvilinear blade for supporting the curvilinear blade. The foot is configured for being received and secured in the housing member. The housing member is configured for at least partially enclosing the curvilinear blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlow Young, John Julian
  • Cooking method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8302528
    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: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Jr., Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
  • Transport scheduling for low microbial bulk products
    Patent number: 8260726
    Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Food Ingredients Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mariniello, Ryan T. Grace
  • Whole grain flour and products including same
    Patent number: 8252360
    Abstract: The present invention is a grain product. The grain product includes a first fraction including bran. The first fraction is milled to a first particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The grain product also includes a second fraction including germ. The second fraction is milled to a second particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The grain product is at least one of: a food product, a nutritional supplement, a dietary supplement, a fiber supplement, a digestive supplement, a functional food, and a medical food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Food Ingredients Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Arndt, Theodore Korolchuk
  • INGREDIENT DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR POPCORN KERNELS
    Publication number: 20120213892
    Abstract: An ingredient delivery system for popcorn kernels is described. The ingredient delivery system can include multiple layers. The synergy formed from the multiple layers of the ingredient delivery system results in a popped popcorn with minimal flaking and blow-off Thus, a greater ingredient impact is imparted to the consumer. Also, the layer combination minimizes any hindrance of the natural popping action of the kernels. Thus, consumers have a greater pop volume for consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Laurence Jensen, James Wesley Belleson, Tyler S. Wright
  • Spray dispenser
    Patent number: 8210399
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing having a sidewall with first and second axial ends. A container has first and second end portions with the second end portion engaged with the housing such that the container extends from the first axial end of the housing. A plunger having first and second sides is disposed in the interior cavity of the container. The interior cavity of the container and the first side of the base cooperatively define a product cavity. The interior cavity of the container and the second side of the base cooperatively define an air cavity. A valve mechanism is in engagement with the second end portion of the container. The valve mechanism includes a nozzle defining an orifice and an accumulator defining a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber is adapted to receive a portion of the product in the container. A piston is selectively slidable in the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerstin M. Olson, Harry F. Bogen, Edmund Farmer, Troy Starkey, John K. Clay
  • ACRYLAMIDE MITIGATION AND COLOR MANAGEMENT IN A POTATO FRY
    Publication number: 20120100262
    Abstract: A process for mitigating acrylamide formation in fried potato products is disclosed. The acrylamide formation is mitigated while the color formation of the fried potato product is managed. The resulting fried potato product includes low acrylamide levels while exhibiting acceptable organoleptic properties such as taste, color and texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Scott Higley, Clifford Louis Hoye, JR., Gordon Lee Smith
  • TRANSPORT SCHEDULING FOR LOW MICROBIAL BULK PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20120101615
    Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS FOOD INGREDIENTS COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT MARINIELLO, EDITH D. AKINS-LEWENTHAL, BENJAMIN WARREN, RYAN T. GRACE
  • ACRYLAMIDE MITIGATION AND COLOR MANAGEMENT IN A POTATO FRY
    Publication number: 20120100268
    Abstract: A process for mitigating acrylamide formation in a potato fry is disclosed. The acrylamide formation is mitigated while the color formation of the potato fry is managed. The resulting potato fry includes low acrylamide levels while exhibiting acceptable organoleptic properties such as taste, color and texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: JEREMY SCOTT HIGLEY, CLIFFORD LOUIS HOYE, JR., GORDON LEE SMITH
  • TRANSPORT SCHEDULING FOR LOW MICROBIAL BULK PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20120097191
    Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS FOOD INGREDIENTS COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT MARINIELLO, EDITH D. AKINS-LEWENTHAL, BENJAMIN WARREN, RYAN T. GRACE
  • Proportional length food slicing system
    Patent number: 8156851
    Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Julian, Gary R. Brockman, Trent R. Wetherbee
  • VENT ASSEMBLY FOR MICROWAVE COOKING PACKAGE
    Publication number: 20120061385
    Abstract: A vent assembly for a microwave cooking package is disclosed. The microwave cooking package includes a bag construction that is formed of at least one sheet of polyester film material and configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when the food product is heated. The vent assembly includes a first portion and a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion. The second portion includes a venting structure formed in the sheet of polyester material. An adhesive is configured to adhere the first portion to the second portion so the vent is at least partially sealed while the bag construction is in the collapsed configuration and to release the first portion from the second portion as the bag construction expands to the expanded configuration to allow the vent to at least partially open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: David W. France, Charles Thomas Gorman, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul John Warosh, Steven P. Swanlund
  • Container basket
    Patent number: D653495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. France, Steven Robert Baker
  • Dispenser
    Patent number: D656023
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Robert Baker, Robert Boyd Ewart, Jason C. Campbell, Marcel T. Faucher
  • Packaging assembly
    Patent number: D660143
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Stowe, Kasey Ann Fuller, Darrell Dragoo
  • Microwavable bag
    Patent number: D671012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh