Patents Assigned to General Mills, Inc.
  • Heat stable extruded protein composition and related food products
    Patent number: 11737479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I Heck, Steven C Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Apparatus and method for producing scored dough pieces
    Patent number: 11730169
    Abstract: Frozen un-proofed dough pieces are produced by pinching an upper skin of an un-proofed dough body to a lower skin and producing a score through the upper skin 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 either before, during or after the individual un-proofed dough pieces are actually created, but before freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Arnall, Steven Cox, Paul Henderson, Kara M Hobart, Olivia Murch, Todd A Rasmussen, Michael Snyder, Rodney W Worthy
  • High protein food
    Patent number: 11723390
    Abstract: Described herein is a food that is suitable for use as a shelf stable nut butter based spread. The food has a protein content of at least 25% by weight, and a nut butter content of at least 50% by weight. The food retains a desirable eating experience, similar to a natural nut butter spread or a stabilized nut butter spread despite having a high protein content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Colby Darling, Catherine Davlin, Sara Rosene, Natasha Weatherby
  • Dividable Dough Sheet Piece
    Publication number: 20230217934
    Abstract: A dividable dough sheet piece gives consumers enhanced flexibility in creating food items from pre-made sheeted dough. The dividable dough sheet piece is cut from a dough sheet, with the dividable dough sheet piece having a perimeter and including a plurality of interconnected, sub-pieces defined within the perimeter. Each sub-piece is defined by one or more lines of structural weakness that provide predetermined breaking points. The dividable dough sheet piece can be used as a whole or can be divided into the sub-pieces for alternative use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Gustafson, Roberta Marie Langenfeld, Todd A. Rasmussen, Bruce W. Robb, Dalton Sherrill, Michael Snyder, Andrew Friend Souder, Kiara C. Camareno Vargas
  • Food Safety Method
    Publication number: 20230180777
    Abstract: Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Steven R. Pretzel, Yuewei Hu, Craig A. Dowd, James P. Michaels
  • Shelf Stable Food with Protein Binder
    Publication number: 20230165293
    Abstract: A low or no refined sugar, high protein shelf stable food is described. A shelf stable food includes an aggregate component held together with a continuous phase that includes a water soluble protein and a soluble fiber, where the water soluble fiber contributes substantially all binding activity of the continuous phase. Methods of making a shelf stable food are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Colby Darling, Sara Rosene
  • Multi-Coated Frozen Dessert Bar
    Publication number: 20230165270
    Abstract: A method of making a frozen dessert bar includes forming a plurality of spaced cavities in a main body of ice cream or frozen yogurt, with the plurality of spaced cavities being filled with distinct edible materials thereby coating the one or more exterior surface portions of the main body at the plurality of spaced cavities. The cavities can be formed in various ways, such as molding the main body with the cavities or stamping the cavities into a pre-formed main body. As the coating materials employed can significantly vary, a wide range of frozen dessert bars, with quite unique and interesting eating experiences, can be produced for consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Schopf
  • Non-Sticky Erythritol Coating
    Publication number: 20230157345
    Abstract: Individual non-sticky coated food pieces are produced by applying a composition to a surface of food pieces to produce coated food pieces. The composition includes water and a soluble solids component having a soluble solids content including erythritol in an amount of about 50%-90% by dry weight of the soluble solids content. The soluble solids content also includes a water-soluble carbohydrate having an average dextrose equivalent (DE) of 4 to 30 in an amount of about 2%-40% by dry weight of the soluble solids content. The coated food pieces are dried to form dried pieces having at least a partial coating in which the soluble solids component has a crystallinity of from about 15%-60%, the erythritol contributing substantially all the crystallinity of the coating. The dried pieces are cooled to produce the individual non-sticky coated food pieces, which are then packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Goedeken, Todd Harper, Christine M. Nowakowski, Goeran Walther, Scott K. Whitman
  • Aseptic protein beverage and method of preparation
    Patent number: 11647766
    Abstract: Aseptic beverage products are prepared by mixing beverage ingredients together. The beverage ingredients include a protein source, such as a milk protein concentrate, and at least one buffering agent, with the at least one buffering agent including baking soda. Preferably, the at least one buffering agent further includes lemon juice concentrate. The pH of the beverage ingredients is adjusted to a level between 6.7 and 7.0 using the at least one buffering agent. The beverage ingredients are then heated to at least 139° C., and the at least one buffering agent prevents precipitation of the protein source during heating. Afterwards, the beverage ingredients are packaged as a plurality of aseptic beverage products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Wolf, Erika Smith, Jon Firebaugh
  • Method for disinfecting and tempering grain
    Patent number: 11632964
    Abstract: Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David J Domingues, Steven R Pretzel, Yuewei Hu, Craig A Dowd, James P Michaels
  • Sweetened food product and methods of preparation
    Patent number: 11632977
    Abstract: Described are coated food products having a sugar (sucrose) coating, the coating exhibiting desirable levels of sucrose crystallinity and a desired sucrose ratio (total sucrose per total soluble solids), as well as methods or preparing such coated food products and coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J Barrett, Douglas L Goedeken, Daniel R Green, Victor T Huang, Lauren A Jacobson Greevers, Christine M Nowakowski, Scott K Whitman, Danielle M Wojdyla Christensen
  • Rolled Food Product and Method of Producing
    Publication number: 20230104327
    Abstract: Rolled food products are produced by cutting a dough sheet to form a roll sheet having a continuous pattern. The pattern is comprised of an asymmetrical repeat unit. The roll sheet is transported in a first direction with a conveyor system, and the roll sheet is rolled in a second direction to form a continuous roll. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction. The continuous roll is cut to form a plurality of rolls. Each of the plurality of rolls is asymmetrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberta M. Langenfeld, Anna Gale, Benjamin R. Heyda, Craig E. Gustafson
  • Soft Baked Snack
    Publication number: 20230097484
    Abstract: A low net carbohydrate soft baked snack having a good texture, flavor, structure, and shelf stability is described. A soft baked snack includes a beneficial combination of fiber, sugar alcohol, including erythritol, and protein. Methods of making a soft baked snack are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren Gillman, Eric Gugger, Katie Wanner
  • High Protein Food Article
    Publication number: 20230089677
    Abstract: A high protein food article having a protein content of at least 20% by weight of the food article is provided. The high protein food article has a desirable texture that is stable over an extended shelf life. The high protein food article includes powdered protein ingredient and visible particulates that include protein crisp particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Rolla Amdor, Natasha Weatherby, Dana Katharine Zychowski
  • Low Sugar, High Protein Confection
    Publication number: 20230089077
    Abstract: A low or no sugar, high protein confection is described. A confection includes a beneficial combination of soluble fiber, whey protein, glycerol and fat at an acidic pH and particular Brix range to mimic the texture and mouthfeel of caramel or cream confection. Methods of making a confection are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Gugger, Michael Li, Eva Ordovas
  • System and Method for Coating Soft and Sticky Food Cores
    Publication number: 20230083723
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Moss, Sorin Stingaciu
  • LOWER CARBOHYDRATE SOUP PRODUCT AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING A LOWER CARBOHYDRATE SOUP PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20230085340
    Abstract: A lower carbohydrate soup product is produced by preparing a mixture of soup ingredients, native xanthan gum, particulate xanthan gum and water to form a suspension in a high-speed mixer at a high sheer rate. The native xanthan gum and particulate xanthan gum cooperate to provide a viscosity necessary for successfully retorting a lower carbohydrate soup. The suspension is heated with steam injection until a viscosity sufficient to maintain the soup ingredients and particulate xanthan gum in a suspension. The suspension is then injected into a retort container and undergoes a retort process, thereby producing the lower carbohydrate soup product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Coby Burckard, James Fudge, Doug L. Goedeken, Jeffrey T. Huber, Erin James, Taylor C. Mulfinger, Scott K. Whitman
  • Shelf Stable Aggregate Food Product
    Publication number: 20230062699
    Abstract: Shelf stable aggregate foods are described that include a chewy binder that includes essentially no non-intact sugar sources. A binder in a shelf stable aggregate food remains chewy over shelf life and contains a sprouted whole grain ingredient, gum Arabic, an oil, and glycerin. Also described are methods of making a shelf stable aggregate food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Fortener, Eric Hissam, Shintaro Pang, Nathan Valentine
  • Cereal piece
    Patent number: D983480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Allen, Dean W. Creighton, Robert Erickson, Karen M. Garrity, Jason Herzog, James N. Weinstein
  • Dual compartment food container
    Patent number: D983671
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela M. Brown, Scott LaCourse, James Popp