Patents Examined by Cynthia L. Nessler
  • Patent number: 6488980
    Abstract: Compositions, particularly foodstuffs, were thickened by the inclusion of an effective amount of a stabilized waxy potato starch, particularly a stabilized, crosslinked waxy potato starch, more particularly a hydroxypropylated waxy potato distarch phosphate. Compositions which include the starch may be thickened using less starch than if other starches were used. Foodstuffs prepared using the starch were improved in that they have better flavor, texture, and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Jeffcoat, William R. Mason, Joseph L. Emling, Chung-Wai Chiu
  • Patent number: 6391356
    Abstract: Methods of making chocolates that minimize the dramatic increases in viscosity typically associated with tempered chocolate. The invention also relates to the ability to process chocolates at higher temperatures without the need to temper at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil A. Willcocks, Thomas M. Collins, Frank W. Earis, Ralph D. Lee, Arun V. Shastry, Kevin L. Rabinovitch, William Harding
  • Patent number: 6383539
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly branching each stream of at least two fluidized food materials of different colors into multiple streams, and guiding the multiple streams to predetermined locations in a mold, the nozzle assembly including: an upper nozzle plate, at least one lower nozzle plate positioned below and in contact with the upper nozzle plate, each of the upper and lower nozzle plates having at least two discrete passages, each of the passages in the upper nozzle plate guiding one of the food materials in a substantially horizontal direction, and having at least one communication port each in communication with corresponding one of the passages in the lower nozzle plate, each of the passages in the lower nozzle plate having at least one discharge port for discharging one of the food materials into one of the one or more unit cavities, at least one of the passages in the lower nozzle plate being a horizontal guide passage for guiding one of the food materials in a substantially horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Akutagawa Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuji Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 6379733
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a helical food product. The method includes the step of extruding one or more plastic food substrates through a nozzle into a hollow shaped part. Relative rotation of the nozzle and the shaping part is caused, thereby forming a product of helical configuration. A fluid barrier agent is applied to the outer surface of the product as it is dispensed from the nozle into the shaping part, which barrier agent is adapted to prevent reannealing of adjacent turns of the helical product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Bernard Matthews, PLC
    Inventors: Bernard Trevor Matthews, David John Joll, Peter Elwyn Roberts, David Norman Wilson, John Harry Barker
  • Patent number: 6368649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing the fibrous shells from cereal grains. This method according to the invention comprises a pretreatment step, wherein the moisture content of the cereal grains is increased, e.g. in the case of corn grains from 16 to more than 20% by weight, followed by the step of exposure of the pretreated grains to a thermal shock by means of a cryogenic medium and thereafter mechanical treatment step thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Cargill B.V.
    Inventor: Bernhard George van Bommel
  • Patent number: 6361811
    Abstract: A decorative food formed of a plurality of kinds of fluid food materials and manufactured by using a mold is provided. The decorative food has an outside shape thereof conforming to an interior surface of the mold inclusive of an opening of said mold. The decorative food has a colored pattern divided into multiple divisions extending up to a central portion of the decorative food, in a direction to extrude the food materials into the mold, the colored pattern being formed such that the multiple divisions are arranged with substantially the same ratio at any of a cross sectional area intersecting the direction to extrude the food materials, and wherein the decorative food contains therein a foodstuff. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for manufacturing the decorative food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Tokuji Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 6348226
    Abstract: A tripe bleaching composition facilitating the economical processing of tripe comprising: Peracid precursor 7.5-14% by wt. Hydrogen Peroxide 9.0-46% by wt. Water balance. The peracid precursor may be at least one member selected from the group consisting of tartaric, malic, maleic and acetic acid, with tartaric or malic acid being particularly preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Terry L. McAninch, Frederick W. Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 6329010
    Abstract: The process is based on the stabilization of a natural colorant such as cephalopod ink and is carried out in two phases, a microbiological stabilization and a chemisal stabilization, the first being carried out between 80 and 90° C. and the chemical stabilization being carried out by mixing with chemical absorbents such as plant carbon and a cellulose hydrolisate, and incorporating a common salt, medicinal plant carbon, cellulose hydrolisate and water, while providing for a stabilization time prior to packaging. The present invention can be used to obtain extruded substitute products such as the simulation of the backs, eyes and eye spots of squids and the colour of the legs and the degraded bicolor of calamars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jose IƱaki Alava Marquinet
  • Patent number: 6326047
    Abstract: The present invention is a frozen drink machine and a method for making frozen drinks from a frozen substance which has been frozen into a block. According to the method of the present invention, a block of frozen substance is held in a vessel while a rotatable blade having features for grinding the frozen substance and, if desirable, for aerating the ground frozen substance, acts on the block, grinding the frozen substance while a heated liquid is simultaneously introduced into the vessel. An apparatus according to the present invention supports a cup containing the frozen substance, and includes a rotatable blade which is lowered into the cup and means for pumping a heated liquid into the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Stevens-Lee Company
    Inventor: James J. Farrell
  • Patent number: 6312756
    Abstract: Physically modified starch products are prepared using pressure and heat such as by extruding starting material starch which optionally can be admixed with gums and/or surfactants. The properties of the products can be adjusted by varying the moisture content of the materials in the extruder and the temperature and pressure at a die plate provided at the discharge end of the extruder. The screw elements in the extruder are selected with the goal of using enough mixing elements at the discharge end to keep the pressure in the extruder barrel as high as possible over a short distance. The physically modified starch products are made up of partially to fully cooked starch and some raw starch particles. They are highly dispersible in cold or hot water with hot or cold swelling viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Corn Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Dudacek, Joyce A. Engels, J. E. Todd Giesfeldt, Gregory Vital
  • Patent number: 6309681
    Abstract: A multi-functional marinade for fish and meat products that adds flavor to the fish or meat product and improves the texture and color of the fish or meat product during cooking. The marinade does not require the addition of other ingredients and can be applied immediately before cooking. The marinade can be a solid powder that is coated on the food or a liquid that is brushed or sprayed on the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Nikhil Prasad, Dharam Vadehra, Hyung Kim, Catherine Dionis, Gerard Loizeau
  • Patent number: 6309686
    Abstract: A process for making an aerated, confectionery product of multiple colors includes, as a first step, preparing a slurry of water, sugar, and gelatin. The slurry is divided into at least first and second portions or batches having a defined color to provide a second color. A dye or colorant of a color is added to the second portion or batch to provide a second color. Each of the first and second batches are then individually aerated to form first and second aerated streams of first and second colors of substantially identical density and rheological properties. After aeration of the first and second portions, the first and second colored streams are fed to an extrusion die manifold, where they are extruded in disproportionate amounts to form a multicolored a rope having the first and second colors of unequal proportion. A starch anti-sticking agent is applied, and the rope is cut into individual pieces. The individual pieces are then dried to a 1 to 5% moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K. Zietlow, Bernhard van Lengerich, James L. Stinson
  • Patent number: 6299923
    Abstract: An ice confection containing a plurality of inclusions within the ice confection and a process for producing an ice confection containing a plurality of inclusions within the ice confection by automatically distributing the inclusions through a fruit feeder into the ice mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Jeannine Meziane
  • Patent number: 6294213
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered, gel-based dessert product, such as a pudding product, formed of a gel-based layer containing a first colorant and an adjacent gel-based layer containing a second, different colorant, at least one of the colorants being a negatively charged caramel colorant. The dessert product is made by introducing gel-based dessert product containing the first colorant into the bottom of a transparent container to form a first layer and then introducing additional gel-based product containing the container to form a second layer on top to the first. The resulting multi-layer product exhibits reduced color migration between the two layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: ConAgra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: Ann E. A. Hashisaka, Virender Sethi, Amy Lammert, Mario Mikula
  • Patent number: 6261622
    Abstract: To provide a water-dispersible carotenoid pigment preparation which can be added to various aqueous compositions with retaining dispersion stability excellent in a wide temperature range, particularly even in a low temperature range, a carotenoid-containing aqueous composition comprising a carotenoid pigment with retaining its dispersion stability in a wide temperature range, and a method of stabilizing a dispersion state of a carotenoid pigment in an aqueous composition in a wide temperature range, a dispersion state of the carotenoid pigment in the aqueous composition is stabilized by adding the carotenoid pigment, the dispersion stability containing the soybean extract fiber as an effective ingredient, and optionally tomato juice to the aqueous composition, and the water-dispersible carotenoid pigment preparation is prepared by blending the carotenoid pigment, and the dispersion stability containing the soybean extract fiber as an effective ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Kagome Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Koguchi, Takeshi Fukuda, Hideki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6251452
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by an extruder or pump and is combined with another food product without intermixing to form a complexly patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die (20). The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end (34) to an outlet end (36) by a factor of 4:1 to as much as 50:1 at an average convergence angle of 5 to 65° while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned food product, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson, James R. Borek, Peter A. Huberg, Thomas Jarl, Philip K. Zietlow, Bernhard van Lengerich
  • Patent number: 6248386
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing vitreous molten mass from sweeteners by means of an extruder, in particular a double screw extruder. The sweetener is introduced into an inlet zone of the extruder, is extruded in a melting zone at an increased temperature, in a vacuum zone at a reduced pressure and increased temperature, and finally in a cooling zone at a reduced temperature, forming a vitreous molten mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Sudzucker Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ingrid Willibald-Ettle, Ondrej Mikla
  • Patent number: 6248382
    Abstract: A procedure for reducing the patulin content in a fruit juice which includes presenting the juice to a resin material having in abundance micropores of less than 20 Å minimum pore width and at least a pore surface capable of retaining patulin by the forces of chemisorption. Preferably the resin has weak base functionality and is substantially devoid of mesopores and macropores. The resin preferably has a surface area of greater than 900 m2/g (BET) and the resin has been hypercross-linked whilst in the swollen state. Regeneration involves the conversion of the resin held patulin to a more easily flushed out derivative using ammonia or a volatile base, preferably generated in situ from a high pH solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Bucher-Alimentech Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris J. Miller, Rex M. Lyndon
  • Patent number: 6242019
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved confectionery compositions which have a substantial reduction in the unpleasant organoleptic sensations associated with the release of functional ingredients from the confection in the oral cavity. The confectionery composition comprises a confectionery base, a functional ingredient which is a botanical or a mineral or a mineral salt having an unpleasant mouthfeel, and from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the composition of one or more fats, said amount being effective to suppress the unpleasant mouthfeel of the functional ingredient. For botanicals the confectionery composition is a hard boiled candy composition or a hard gum composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or saturated fats. For minerals or their salts the confection is a hard boiled candy composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Anthony John Bell, Wendy Deisseroth, Jean-Marie Jordan
  • Patent number: 6235321
    Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Kerrigan, Craig J. Schroeder, Roy A. Barham, John J. Strandholm, Michael J. Pagel