Patents Examined by Jeanette Hunter
  • Patent number: 5397588
    Abstract: A reduced calorie fruit spread comprising the gelled product of:a. water;b. fruit or fruit flavoring;c. one or more high intensity sweeteners selected from the group consisting of aspartame; saccharin; acesulfame-K; mixtures thereof; and mixtures of aspartame, saccharin, or acesulfame-K with sucralose;d. low methoxy pectin or carrageenan;e. carboxymethylcellulose;f. guar gum; andg. locust bean gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Antenucci, Thomas R. Davis, Francois Y. Maniere, Susan E. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5397580
    Abstract: A continuous method of making chewing gum base is provided wherein two continuous mixers are arranged in series. A higher viscosity portion including elastomer, filler, and elastomer plasticizer is continuously added and mixed in the first continuous mixer to form a blend. The blend is ventilated after leaving the first continuous mixer. The blend from the first continuous mixer is continuously added to the second continuous mixer. A lower viscosity portion including softener/emulsifier and, optionally, wax and additional elastomer plasticizer, is also continuously fed to the second continuous mixer and mixed therein with the blend from the first continuous mixer to form chewing gum base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Joo H. Song, Donald J. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5389393
    Abstract: A dry mix for producing a quick-setting gel which has a texture which is as desirable as gelatin gels. The mix contains as components agglomerated potassium or sodium alginate, agglomerated calcium salt, sweetening agents, food acids, buffering agents and preferably anti-oxidant. The sweetening agents can be sugars, intensive sweeteners and/or hydrolyzed starches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Hembling, Lawrence T. McCarty, Julia A. Stephenson, Eva C. Szewczyk, Charles W. Bertalan, Joseph P. DeStephano
  • Patent number: 5387423
    Abstract: The invention presents a low calorie food material in dry granular state containing a starch such as processed starch, and a dextrine, a konjak mannan or other gelling agent, and a cellulose powder or other white turbid matter.The food material becomes, when water is added, a rice-like food possessing the same appearance and properties as cooked rice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Otsuka Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Emoto, Masatoshi Mizuno, Sadaichi Takagi, Tetsuya Akazawa, Sadao Fujii, Madoka Murai, Yoshihito Nakai
  • Patent number: 5387428
    Abstract: The method for making a sauce base comprises mixing together lemon or lime juice, sugar, seasoning and egg yolks to produce a sauce-base mixture that is free from butter and butter substitutes. The sauce-base mixture is frozen, and then stored until its use is anticipated. The method for making the desired sauce includes thawing a quantity of said base to about room temperature, preparing liquid whole butter, and then mixing and homogenizing the base and liquid butter until the desired foamy sauce is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Scott M. Chapman
  • Patent number: 5384146
    Abstract: Frozen whipped topping formulations containing milk solids and glassy sodium polyphosphates having an average chain length of at least n=18 to n=50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander A. Gonsalves, Gerard J. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5384145
    Abstract: A low-fat, frozen whipped topping having a fat content of 8 to 15% and which is free of milk solids and phosphate salts is formulated using weight ratios of from 1.4 to 2.2 parts chemical emulsifier and 5.0 to 6.0 parts sodium caseinate per 100 parts fat. A low-fat, non-dairy, frozen whipped topping can be prepared employing the teachings of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander A. Gonsalves, Everett D. Dudley, Jr., Gerard J. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5376389
    Abstract: A dual composition hard coated chewing gum is provided, which exhibits improved long-term shelf stability under storage conditions involving constant exposure to the moisture contained in the atmosphere. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum is ideally suited for pellet chewing gum having pellet shapes which cannot easily be protected from atmospheric moisture by packaging. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum has a gum center which includes a gum base, a bulk portion, and one or more flavoring agents. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum also has an outer coating which includes layers which contain from about 50 to about 100% xylitol; and layers which contain from about 50 to about 100% of a non-xylitol polyol (preferably lactitol, maltitol or sorbitol, with lactitol and maltitol being particularly preferred). A method of preparing the dual composition hard coated chewing gum is also provided. The non-xylitol polyol is preferably applied first, and covered with a xylitol coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Reed, Lindell C. Richey, Jeffrey S. Hook, Philip G. Schnell
  • Patent number: 5376388
    Abstract: An improved method for preparing chewing gum and the packaging of same is provided. To this end, a method for packaging at least one stick of chewing gum is provided comprising the steps of preparing a stick of chewing gum that includes a coating of an edible material that provides sufficient vapor barrier properties to provide the stick of chewing gum with a more stable moisture content at ambient conditions than a stick of chewing gum that does not include the coating, and wrapping the stick of chewing gum in a wrapper that does not include any metal foil material to create a wrapped stick of chewing gum. The sticks of chewing gum can then be packaged in a counterband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventor: Marc Meyers
  • Patent number: 5372824
    Abstract: A mint flavored chewing gum having reduced bitterness comprising a water insoluble base portion, a water soluble portion, and a mint flavor agent from which at least a portion of 1-menthol has been removed. In an embodiment, the mint flavored chewing gum includes a cooling agent. Additionally, a method of adding mint flavor to a chewing gum and reducing bitterness associated with such flavor is provided. The method comprises the step of removing at least a portion of 1-menthol present in the mint flavor before adding the mint flavor to other components of the chewing gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: David Record, Henry Tyrpin, Kevin Broderick, Sonya Johnson
  • Patent number: 5372825
    Abstract: Soured, water-continuous creams that are free of emulsifiers and that contain 5-15 wt % of at least a vegetable fat and that further contain a protein component and a thickener composition were found to be stable and spoonable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Van den Bergh Foods, Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Iain J. Campbell, Pascale Fournier, Wayne G. Morley, Ian T. Norton
  • Patent number: 5372826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ready-to-eat cereal flakes having edible particulate matter embedded therein and attached thereto, as well as a process for preparing said cereal flakes. More specifically, the present invention comprises a ready-to-eat cereal flake comprising cooked cereal grain and edible particulate matter embedded therein in a substantially uniform manner; a ready-to-eat cereal flake having edible particulate matter embedded therein and additionally having edible particulate matter attached to the surface of said flake; and processes for preparing such ready-to-eat cereal flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventors: William E. Holtz, Margo P. Pidgeon, Donn G. Vitek
  • Patent number: 5370893
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a powdered ice cream product having both a high-fat and high-sugar content. The process comprises the steps of mixing cream, non-fat milk solids, sugar and a stabilizer and emulsifier with water to form a liquid homogeneous mixture. The mixture is then pasteurized and homogenized. It is then cooled to allow the stabilizer to fully activate. The mixture is then heated and atomized in a spray-drying chamber to form the powdered ice cream product. By accurately monitoring the proportion of the ingredients, temperatures and pressures throughout the process, a powdered ice cream product having a low moisture content is produced. The powdered ice cream is reconstituted by mixing the powder with water. It can then be frozen in a conventional ice cream maker resulting in a superior tasting product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Michigan Milk Producers Association
    Inventor: Dermot T. Carey
  • Patent number: 5370896
    Abstract: A rich and creamy sauce or soup is provided with a reduced fat content by incorporating the fat droplets in two populations, i.e. droplets above 10 microns and droplets below 5 microns, with the emulsion being substantially free of fat droplets between 5 and 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Van den Bergh Foods Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Carter, Suzanne M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5370881
    Abstract: A solid delivery system for rapid release of hydrophobic liquids such as oleaginous materials, flavor oils, mineral oil and the like comprising a water-soluble flash-flow-formed matrix containing a micronized dispersion of a substantially hydrophobic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard C. Fuisz
  • Patent number: 5370894
    Abstract: A fat substitute is disclosed which comprises water-dispersible macrocolloid particles composed of starch materials selected from the group consisting of taro, Saponaria vaccaria, Amaranthus retroflexus, Maranta arundinacea, Wheat B and buckwheat, which particles have a substantially spheroidal shape and a particle size distribution effective to impart the substantially smooth organoleptic character of an oil-and-water emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: The Nutrasweet Company
    Inventor: Norman S. Singer
  • Patent number: 5368877
    Abstract: A method of preparing a firm-textured shelf stable vegetable or starch-containing food product is provided. The method involves admixing vegetables or starch-containing foods with a sauce and thermally treating said mixture under pressure. The sauce has a water activity of above 0.92 and comprises, in addition to the normal ingredients of spices, flavors, and other compounds, 0.1%-24% polysaccharides by weight having a MW.sub.w in the range of about 3,600 and 250,000. These polysaccharides include starch hydrolysates such as maltodextrin, and other polysaccharides such as alginates and carboxymethyl cellulose. Further, by using the sauce of the present invention, processing times or temperatures are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Victor T. Huang, Laurie E. Kerschner, Lorri D. Cullen
  • Patent number: 5368879
    Abstract: A process for providing a flavorable composition for use as a food condiment is provided. The composition is provided by extracting a mixture of steak sauce ingredients to provide a steak sauce extract separated from the extracted mixture of steak sauce ingredients. The steak sauce extract is heated in a pressure-controlled environment to above ambient pressure at a temperature above about 100.degree. C. The heat treated extract is then contacted with a substrate which is subsequently ground into powder form to provide a dry, powdered condiment useful as a steak sauce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jackie L. White, Thomas A. Perfetti
  • Patent number: 5366740
    Abstract: A digestible, biodegradable chewing gum comprising wheat gluten and a texturizing agent such as calcium carbonate, rice flour or ascorbic acid. The chewing gum can be swallowed and digested, or it can be discarded in ordinary compost waste facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: James J. Shaw, Lucy L. Wong, Allan H. Graff, Hector Olaya, Shirley A. Barcelon, Marc Degady, Charles J. Brine
  • Patent number: 5360624
    Abstract: Emulsion-type food in which a part or all of the fat components are substituted by a pulverized curdlan gel is disclosed. The food is low-calorie and has desired appearance, mouthfeel and taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Okura, Toshio Tawada, Yukihiro Nakao