Abstract: Cocoa or cinnamon is mixed at least one enzyme to form a mixture, and the mixture is combined with a cereal food composition. In one embodiment, the cereal food composition is extruded or otherwise formed into a plurality of cereal pieces after the mixture is combined with the food composition. In another embodiment, the mixture is coated onto cereal pieces formed from the food composition. Preferably, the at least one enzyme includes at least two carbohydrases, and can also include soluble fiber enzymes, and even one or more fat soluble enzymes. In each case, the at least one enzyme is deactivated, either during working of the cocoa or cinnamon after combining with the cereal food composition or prior to the mixture being combined with the cereal food composition.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 18, 2024
Publication date:
May 9, 2024
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Pamela J. Pederson, Christine M. Nowakowski, Kyle Raney
Abstract: A product conveying and coating system includes multiple, sequentially arranged conveyor units, with at least one conveyor unit being an open belt type. A carrier sheet is placed on a first of the conveyor units, a web of coating material in liquid form is deposited on the carrier sheet and spaced ropes of soft and sticky material are deposited on and settle into the web. The carrier sheet, web and ropes are transferred to a second conveyor unit after the coating material of the web solidifies, whereupon the ropes are cut into bar-length pieces. Thereafter, the carrier sheet is removed while the web and pieces are transferred to the open belt conveyor unit and exposed to an enrober. The enrober coats the pieces while melting portions of the web between the pieces in order to form full coated or encapsulated food products with soft and sticky cores.
Abstract: A method of preparing a high fat extruded protein product includes feeding water, a first fat, and a blend of plant proteins to an extruder to produce an extruded protein mixture. The extruded protein mixture is directed through a cooling die and divided into pieces, with the pieces being subsequently tumbled with oil. The resulting high fat extruded protein product will have at least 15-23% total fat by weight and, upon cooking, exhibits a desirable grease-out effect (e.g., reminiscent of a traditional pepperoni product). The blend of plant proteins preferably includes soy protein, wheat gluten and a grain or starch-based ingredient, and makes up at least 40-50%, by weight, of the high fat extruded protein product.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 12, 2022
Publication date:
March 14, 2024
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Andriana V. Schirack, Goeran Walther, Robert J. Harrison, Benjamin Lee Heitke
Abstract: A method for preparing a cultured dairy product comprising: blending water, ultra-filtered milk and other ingredients to form a blended milk containing about 1.6% lactose, about 3.9% protein and about 0.8% fat; culturing the blended milk by adding a starter culture and fermenting the blended milk to produce a cultured dairy product; and processing the cultured dairy product with only mechanical steps to form a finished cultured dairy product containing less than 4% total sugar and less than 0.1% lactose.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 20, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2024
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Jerry L Fultz, Jose Antonio Maldonado, Maeve C Murphy, Shannyn Stuart
Abstract: Described are cheese compositions and methods of making cheese compositions, including methods of formulating cheese compositions, wherein the cheese compositions may include combinations of casein protein, fiber, non-casein protein, non-pregelatinized, modified starch, and a fat component.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 9, 2023
Publication date:
February 29, 2024
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Amelia E. Frazier, Nathan S. Morris, Aaron P. Wlaschin
Abstract: A multilayer moisture barrier film includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and at least one desiccant-containing inner layer between the first and second outer layers. The inner layer can have cavities with which the desiccant particles are in communication.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2016
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Randal J Monforton, Mychal Barrett Brosch, Adam C Feigum, Ramin Heydarpour, Kenneth Lin, George A Tuszkiewicz
Abstract: Cocoa or cinnamon is mixed at least one enzyme to form a mixture, and the mixture is combined with a cereal food composition. In one embodiment, the cereal food composition is extruded or otherwise formed into a plurality of cereal pieces after the mixture is combined with the food composition. In another embodiment, the mixture is coated onto cereal pieces formed from the food composition. Preferably, the at least one enzyme includes at least two carbohydrases, and can also include soluble fiber enzymes, and even one or more fat soluble enzymes. In each case, the at least one enzyme is deactivated, either during working of the cocoa or cinnamon after combining with the cereal food composition or prior to the mixture being combined with the cereal food composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 2022
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Pamela J. Pederson, Christine M. Nowakowski, Kyle Raney
Abstract: Methods are described that impart a dual texture to baked goods. The methods generally include making a leavened batter that contains a relatively low flour to water ratio, followed by combining the leavened batter with a second portion of flour to make a dough.
Abstract: A texture-controlled fiber ingredient containing a viscous soluble fiber and a non-crosslinked acid-reversible gel-forming compound is described. The ingredient can be contacted with a divalent cation solution and combined with a food ingredient or edible ingredient suitable for use in a supplement to produce a viscous fiber fortified food or fiber supplement. In some versions of a viscous fiber fortified food or fiber supplement, the viscous soluble fiber remains partially hydrated over shelf life of the food, and maintains a desirable texture over the shelf life. Some versions of a food mix or fiber supplement are in dry form.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 19, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter J. Galuska, Douglas L. Goedeken, Eric T. Gugger, Jeffrey Huber, Scott Whitman
Abstract: Described are cheese compositions and methods of making cheese compositions, including methods of formulating cheese compositions, wherein the cheese compositions may include combinations of casein protein, fiber, non-casein protein, non-pregelatinized, modified starch, and a fat component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2022
Date of Patent:
December 12, 2023
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Amelia E. Frazier, Nathan S. Morris, Aaron P. Wlaschin
Abstract: A plurality of dough pieces are produced using a rotary dough cutter comprises an annular cutter body configured to be rotatably driven, a plurality of arcuate sidewalls extending circumferentially about the cutter body, a plurality of radial divider walls extending across respective sidewalls, and a plurality of interior blades extending radially relative to the body between the sidewalls. The plurality of walls define a plurality of dough cutter molds. During conveying of a sheet of dough to the rotary dough cutter, the plurality of dough pieces are cut by the plurality of walls and scored with the plurality of interior blades. After being cut and scored, the dough pieces are removed from within the dough cutter molds with the assistance of a sequentially timed, regulated and adjustable fluid ejection system, and then frozen.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 2, 2022
Publication date:
November 2, 2023
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Christopher Crosby, Ryan D. Gifford, Todd A. Rasmussen, Jeffrey David Reinke, Geoffrey P. Suski, Kara M. Hobart
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2023
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Goeran Walther, Steven C Robie, Kevin H Wright, Joel R Lafavor, Caleb Ian Heck
Abstract: Frozen un-proofed dough pieces are produced by cutting a dough sheet into strips and producing a score through an upper skin of each strip with at least one blunt deformation tool prior to freezing. The un-proofed dough pieces are formed by mass production, with an un-proofed dough sheet being cut to form dough strips which are then cut into the un-proofed dough pieces, with the score for each un-proofed dough piece being formed by pressing the upper skin of the dough down into the body of the dough, thereby deforming and pre-stressing the dough to create weak zones, either before, during or after the individual un-proofed dough pieces are actually created, but before freezing. Upon heating, openings are established in the upper skin along score lines.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 13, 2022
Publication date:
October 19, 2023
Applicant:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven J. Cox, Kara M. Hobart, Todd A. Rasmussen
Abstract: A food product is coated by applying a first coating to an exterior of the food product with a first depositor. Next, the food product is located in a dough proofer. Then, a second coating is applied to the exterior of the food product with a second depositor. Afterwards, the food product is baked in an oven. Optionally, prior to applying the first coating, a tacking agent is applied to the exterior of the food product with a third depositor. In a preferred embodiment, multiple coatings of a combination sugar and cinnamon are applied to filled dough products.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 16, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2023
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc.
Inventors:
Bruce J Button, Jennifer E Folstad, Ivan Hajovy, Constance M Lindman, Anthony Reuter
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wheat plants having grain with high ?-glucan content, methods for constructing said wheat plants, grain therefrom and uses thereof. Wheat lines homozygous for the HvCslF6 gene from barley having five times the fiber content and an increased ?-glucan content of TA5790, TA5792, and TA5795 are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2023
Assignees:
General Mills, Inc., Kansas State University Research Foundation
Inventors:
Jesse Poland, Bernd Friebe, Titiana Danilova, Bikram S Gill, Eric Jackson
Abstract: Described are dried cranberries with reduced sugar content, while retaining a desired sweetness and texture, and methods of making such dried cranberries. Dried cranberries include erythritol and a sweetener that interferes with erythritol crystallization.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2023
Assignees:
General Mills, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
Inventors:
George Tuszkiewicz, Matthew W Lorence, Mark Paradis, Michael A Bilodeau
Abstract: A technique can be used to detect and/or quantify allergens in foods. In some examples, the technique involves adding magnetic particles that carry antibodies and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags complexed with antibodies to the sample. The antibodies associated with both the magnetic particles and the SERS tags can be selected to bind to one or more antigens that correspond to allergens being investigated. After adding magnetic particles to the sample, a magnetic field can be applied to the sample to concentrate antigens in the sample, including any SERS tags bound to the antigens. The concentrated sample can be analyzed with SERS and a concentration of the mammalian allergen determined based on the SERS response.