Patents Examined by Jeanette Hunter
  • Patent number: 5597603
    Abstract: A dry instant pudding mix for producing a sugar-free and fat-free instant pudding which contains 50% to 70% agglomerated pregelatinized starch, 5% to 23% maltodextrin, 0.1% to 1.5% xanthan gum, phosphate setting salts, 0.1% to 0.8% of a slow-reacting calcium salt, such as calcium sulfate, an intensive sweetener, opacifier, emulsifier, flavor and color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Alice S. Cha, William J. Dell
  • Patent number: 5593716
    Abstract: A liquid sauce, soup or gravy product having high temperature, shear and storage stability and having a smooth texture comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The aqueous phase includes;(a) a dispersed phase of non-starch polysaccharide microgel; and(b) a continuous phase comprising a biopolymer solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Van den Bergh Foods Co. Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingrid A. Appelqvist, Charles R. Brown, Ian T. Norton
  • Patent number: 5591473
    Abstract: A protein-polysaccharide complex composition is prepared by admixing a water-soluble polysaccharide with a substantially water-insoluble protein in an alcohol/water solution. In the recovered complex the water-insoluble protein impregnates or coats the water-soluble polysaccharide without affecting the beneficial properties of the polysaccharide and protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Blaise McArdle
  • Patent number: 5591474
    Abstract: Chocolate crumb is prepared, to be used later in the manufacture of milk chocolate. One feature of milk chocolate, and the chocolate crumb which is a major constituent thereof, is that the sugar is at least partially caramelized, and the caramelization contributes to the flavor of the milk chocolate. The present invention provides a process whereby only a portion of the sugar constituent of the chocolate crumb is first caramelized by being hydrated with a portion of the milk which is to be utilized in the process. That hydrated sugar with the milk is heated so as to caramelize the sugar and so as to substantially drive off the water constituent of that first portion of the milk. The temperature and the length of time for which the heating continues will govern the degree of caramelization. The then caramelized slurry batch is added to the remainder of the milk to be used, and dried so as to drive off the remaining water carried into the mix by the additional milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Van Miller
  • Patent number: 5589387
    Abstract: A method for using a composition including a neutralizing system and a sequestering agent which prevents the accumulation of inorganic deposits on contact lenses, particularly when used regularly in a conventional hydrogen peroxide disinfection regimen. The neutralizing system includes at least one reducing agent, a reductase, or both. The sequestering agent preferably is gluconic acid, a polymetaphosphate or their salts. Sodium hexametaphosphate is the most preferred sequestering agent; catalase is the most preferred agent for use as the neutralizing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Cafaro
  • Patent number: 5587198
    Abstract: The present invention is a new method of making a confectionery mass, such as a nougat, by hydrating sufficiently to form the mass without the need for cooking to drive off moisture. The present invention also includes a product prepared by positively hydrating a mixture of confectionery ingredients including a hydrobinding component and shearform product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Subraman R. Cherukuri, Robert K. Yang, Cecil A. Bowles, Jose F. Zamudio-Tena, Santi R. Bhowmik
  • Patent number: 5582852
    Abstract: A method of producing granule type chewing gum without the necessity of using a cutting machine and expensive nitrogen gas for cooling the chewing gum material, departing from the shape of a standardized elongated rectangle. According to the method, hard gum base is melted by heating the gum base in a water bath, and the melted gum base is mixed with other chewing gum materials under predetermined mixing rates and temperatures to produce a mixture of chewing gum. The mixture of chewing gum is then granulated by stirring and solidifying the mixture of chewing gum. Granules of the mixture may be coated with various food materials for various colors and tastes of the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Sung Ae Ahn
    Inventors: Sung A. Ahn, Myung H. Yoon
  • Patent number: 5582855
    Abstract: Discrete entities of a solid suspension are made from a solid fat matrix and a non-fat solid substrate having an active associated with said substrate. These entities are spheroidal in shape, have uniform size and substantially the same active content due to the flash flow process used to make them. They are especially useful as delivery systems for comestibles, pharmaceuticals and personal products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Subraman R. Cherukuri, Gerald E. Battist, James H. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5580601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new grainy confectionery product obtained using an appropriate quantity of maltitol or xylitol relative to the total sweetening component. It also relates to a process for the manufacture of the said confectionery product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Roquette Freres
    Inventors: Guillaume Ribadeau-Dumas, Michel Serpelloni
  • Patent number: 5578489
    Abstract: Removal of hydrophobic esters from fabric comprises the sequential steps of: 1) impregnating the fabric with an aqueous solution of lipase to a liquor pick-up ratio of 50-200%; 2) incubating the impregnated fabric at 15.degree.-70.degree. C. for 1-24 hours; and 3) washing and rinsing to remove fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventor: Gitte Petersen
  • Patent number: 5578337
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for a high-volume, mass production process for extruding a gel wherein the gelled extrudate has a preselected shape and is produced without breaking apart and without loss of integrity of the gel. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for continuously forming a gelling mixture and conveying the gelling mixture into a plurality of extrusion dies in a manner such that shear forces that may be produced during conveyance through the extrusion dies are eliminated during the critical period when the gelling mixture forms a gel. The gelled extrudate may be produced, for example, in the form of onion rings comprised of a substantially homogeneous gel having a preselected shape. An improved method for cutting off the gelled extrudate to produce the onion rings is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Rich Sea-Pak Corporation
    Inventors: Hamsa A. P. Thota, Chandrakant S. Shah
  • Patent number: 5576039
    Abstract: A jelly-type substance incorporating a water-insoluble color is provided. The colored jelly-type substance can be incorporated in a liquid composition having an acidic pH between about 2.5 and 6.0 and the color will remain incorporated in the jelly-type substance. A liquid composition including the jelly-type substances and a method for incorporating the water-soluble colors in the jelly-type substance are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Bush Boake Allen Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5576043
    Abstract: The shortening substitute contains a mixture of 1-10% by weight pregelatinized, unmodified starch; 5-15% by weight pregelatinized, modified high amylopectin starch; 5-10% by weight emulsifier; 5-25% by weight shortening; and a remainder of water. The modified, high amylopectin starch is either a crosslinked, hydroxypropylated starch or a crosslinked, esterified starch, both of which have an amylopectin content of 95% or more. Plasticizer in an amount of 0.1-1% by weight and a maltodextrin in an amount of 1-20% by weight can be incorporated into the mixture. The shortening substitute can be used as a replacement for conventional shortening in a baked good and is especially suited for use as a roll-in shortening for laminated pastries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: American Maize-Products Company
    Inventors: Carol Stankus, David Mauro, Thomas Treece
  • Patent number: 5576048
    Abstract: A sol and foodstuff containing a substantially pure starch extracted from a starch bearing plant having a waxy, waxy, amylose extender genotype is disclosed. Maize is the preferred plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: American Maize-Products Company
    Inventors: Richard Hauber, Robert Friedman, Frances Katz
  • Patent number: 5573796
    Abstract: A sheet of a fresh dough formed from a dough stock incorporating up to 4% salt is subjected to cross rolling. The fresh pasta product obtained from such sheet dough has extended shelf-life while retaining the original organoleptic properties unaltered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Barilla G. E R. F.LLI - Societa per Axioni
    Inventor: Roberto Guarneri
  • Patent number: 5571552
    Abstract: A continuous coupled jet-cooking/spray-drying process for processing or co-processing inherently water-dispersible or water-soluble crystalline polymers, such as starches, starch mixtures, gums (e.g., locust bean gum, carrageenan, agar), viscosifying proteins (e.g., gelatin), starch-gum mixtures, and fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, is disclosed. The process involves the steps of: (a) forming a slurry or paste of the polymer and water, (b) jet-cooking the slurry or paste with steam at a temperature sufficient to fully disperse or solubilize the polymer, (c) immediately conveying and introducing, under elevated temperature and pressure, the jet-cooked dispersion or solution into a nozzle of a spray-dryer chamber, (d) atomizing the jet-cooked dispersion or solution through the nozzle, (e) drying the atomized mist within the spray-dryer chamber at a temperature sufficient to dry the polymer; and (f) recovering the dried polymer as a water-dispersible or water-soluble powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Kasica, James L. Eden
  • Patent number: 5571543
    Abstract: A method of continuously making chewing gum base employs low pressure, adequate residence time, and the flexibility of selectively feeding different ingredients at different locations on the mixer. The method involves the use of a paddle mixer, characterized by a plurality of paddles mounted on a longitudinal rotating shaft, preferably mounted on two parallel co-rotating shafts. The paddles cover at least about 40 percent of the active length of the shafts. This configuration provides for significant residence time in the mixer and low pressure gum base manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Joo H. Song, Donald J. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5571547
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is an improved hard coating process using a polyol in powder form, enabling easy, speedy creation of a hard coating on the surface of a product. This process consists, on the one hand, in the application of a syrup containing at least 90% of a polyol chosen from sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, lactitol and isomalt and, on the other hand, in the application, in powder form, of a quantity of powder which has a purity higher than 95% with respect to this same polyol; these applications being performed without carrying out a forced drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Roquette Freres
    Inventors: Michel Serpelloni, Guillaume Ribadeau-Dumas
  • Patent number: 5571555
    Abstract: The present invention includes a freezable material comprising sucrose and water in a concentration effective to prevent sucrose hydrate crystal formation when the material is frozen and further comprising a starch hydrolysate having a molecular weight effective for preventing weeping of the material when in contact with a water-bearing matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Victor T. Huang, Lorri D. Cullen, James A. Kivi
  • Patent number: 5569477
    Abstract: A coated chewing gum includes a gum center containing a water-insoluble gum base and a first active material, and a shell coated around the gum center, with the shell containing a second active material. The coated chewing gum may be made by homogeneously dispersing a first active material in a gum base to form a gum mass; forming discrete masses of the gum mass; and coating the discrete masses with a coating composition containing a second active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: McCready Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Regis J. Nesbitt