Patents Examined by Mary S. Mims
  • Patent number: 5405626
    Abstract: A baked composite dough product comprising a puff pastry dough sheet having attached thereto, at least at one side, a sheet of pastry dough which acts as an anchoring layer for a moisture-barrier coating which is applied on to the pastry layer after baking.The invention also relates to said baked products with a moist filling material applied on to the moisture-barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Leendert M. Van Der Graaf, Nicolaas J. F. D. Verhoef
  • Patent number: 5405625
    Abstract: Snacks with smooth, creamy cheese fillings contain pregelatinized rice flour in the filler and casing portions can be baked or microwaved. The cheese filling contains cheese and pregelatinized rice flour, and does not dry out or leak out on storage or heating. In preferred embodiments, pregelatinized rice flour comprises from about 5 to about 20% by weight of the filler portion. Some embodiments also contain fat and powdered cheese in the filler portion. The casing contains potato flakes and pregelatinized rice flour and retains its structural integrity and does not slip on heating. In preferred embodiments, potato flakes and pregelatinized rice flour comprise from about 10% to about 30% by weight of the starch component in the casing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Biggs
  • Patent number: 5401522
    Abstract: A process for preparing dough, in particular a corn dough, for the preparation of snack foods such as, for example, corn chips, tortillas, taco shells or the like, in which ground cereals are mixed with water to form a mixture, the mixture is heated and subsequently cooled. The mixture is heated only to a temperature slightly above the gelatinization temperature of the cereal starch, and the mixture is cooled as early as after only partial gelatinization of the cereal starch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: A. Stephan u. Soehne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Reeg
  • Patent number: 5401519
    Abstract: A low calorie composite sweetener in which a sweetener of high sweetness is disposed by way of a non-reducing substance on the periphery of fructose particles. The low calorie composite sweetener is produced by forming a membrane of a non-reducing substance on the surface of fructose particles and depositing a sweetener of high sweetness on the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nisshin Seito Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichi Sabase, Masayuki Emura, Yuji Owada
  • Patent number: 5400614
    Abstract: Equipment and a process for volumetric filling of novelties with soft frozen desserts is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Anthony V. Feola
  • Patent number: 5397586
    Abstract: An improved pasta product is made by incorporating an aedu starch, a duh starch or a mixture thereof in an amount of about 5% to about 50% by weight of farinaceous material. The pasta has improved texture and works well in retort, frozen foods, microwave foods and food service applications. The use of aedu starch and duh starch to improve the texture is also applicable to tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: American Maize-Products Company
    Inventors: Susan L. Furcsik, Carol A. Stankus, Robert B. Friedman
  • Patent number: 5397587
    Abstract: Highly palatable, shelf-stable, moist, pasta-type extruded food products are provided which can be formulated as a human food (e.g., a confection) or as a pet food. The extruded products of the invention include a substantially completely gelatinized matrix including therein from about 35-70% by weight starch, dry basis, together with quantities of protein and sugar. The extruded products should have a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight, and a water activity of from about 0.6-0.9. The products are made by forming a mixture of ingredients followed by preconditioning, extrusion and drying and/or cooling to achieve the final desired moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Thompson's Pet Pasta Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thompson, Gordon R. Huber, Gerry M. Hertzel, Herbert R. Heinicke, William T. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5395637
    Abstract: A process for preparing dough, in particular a corn dough, for the preparation of snack foods such as, for example, corn chips, tortillas, taco shells or the like, in which ground cereals are mixed with water to form a mixture, the mixture is heated and subsequently cooled. The mixture is heated only to a temperature slightly above the gelatinization temperature of the cereal starch, and the mixture is cooled as early as after only partial gelatinization of the cereal starch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: A. Stephan U. Soehne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Reec
  • Patent number: 5395639
    Abstract: A process is presented for minimizing oxidative degradation of whole wheat flour in the production of whole wheat pasta. A sweet nutty flavor is preserved and off-flavors are avoided by whole milling without removing the germ, not fine grinding the wheat, and immediately mixing the freshly-ground whole wheat flour with water to produce a dough or alimentary paste. This minimizes the exposure of oils and other components to enzymatic and other degradative processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhyaneshwar B. Chawan, Edward A. Matuszak, Leslie H. Volles
  • Patent number: 5393553
    Abstract: A powdery oyster juice composition comprises oyster juice and a lactose. A process for the production of the powdery oyster juice composition comprises mixing an oyster juice concentrate with lactose and drying the mixture in such a manner as to reduce the moisture content of the mixture to 5% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Yoshimi Ando
  • Patent number: 5391388
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cereal food product comprising a "waxy" cereal chosen from barley, corn, rice or sorghum or from other starchy seed or tissue material wherein less than about 10% of the starch present is amylose, and preferably the starch contains substantially no amylose. Preferably the cereal is waxy barley. The major part of the starch present is also in its ungelatinized form. A process for preparing the food cereal is also described. The cereal food product is preferably a quick cooking hot porridge-like breakfast food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Byron Agricultural Company Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor M. Lewis, David A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5387427
    Abstract: A composite milk product is prepared by mixing into the semi-solid or solid milk product particles of a gel having a solids content of 2 to 14% and containing a major amount of xanthan and locust bean gums prepared to simulate the texture of gelatin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Specialty Chemicals Co.
    Inventors: Jeanette Lawrence, Antoine F. Coutant, Frederick Swayhoover
  • Patent number: 5385746
    Abstract: Extrusion cooked cereal foods are prepared by mixing ingredients, including a cereal flour and water, to obtain a moist blend having a solids content of at least 70% by weight which then is extrusion cooked in a cooking stage of an extruder, and prior to extruding the cooked blend through a die, a compressed gas is injected into the cooked blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Joao De Almeida
  • Patent number: 5385747
    Abstract: A packaged food product includes a flexible container filled with an edible gel composition having a firmness and elasticity such that when the container is squeezed the composition is extruded through the discharge opening therein and retains its extruded shape. The composition includes a gel medium comprising water, carrageenan, locust bean gum and a potentiator for the carrageenan, in which is uniformly dispersed and suspended a flavoring system including fruit pieces or fruit juice, a sweetening agent, a food grade acid and xanthan gum. A vitamin and a flavorant may be included in the flavoring system and preservatives and a buffering agent may be included in the gel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Mama Tish's Italian Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumner N. Katz, Thomas L. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5384144
    Abstract: The invention provides for a pasta product, that is enriched with a psyllium composition, wherein the psyllium is present in an amount from about 1.0 g to about 5.0 g per two ounces of pasta product. Also provided is a method to incorporate a psyllium product which comprises pretreating the psyllium so as to prepare it for combination with a pasta flour, such as semolina flour. The resulting pasta product has a sufficient amount of psyllium to alter the level of serum cholesterol in the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Aimee M. Bedard, Grace H. Lai, Richard D. Wullschleger, James G. Kincaid
  • Patent number: 5384136
    Abstract: The invention provides for a dough product, that is enriched with a psyllium composition. The psyllium may range from about 1.0 to about 5.0 grams per one ounce. The dough product can include an amount of gluten to increase its volume. Also provided is a method for making the dough products. These dough products are useful in lowering serum cholesterol levels as well as for increasing dietary fiber in the diet of the individual consuming them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Grace H. Lai, Richard D. Wullschleger
  • Patent number: 5382443
    Abstract: Ready-to-eat cereals containing psyllium are described. The cereals contain psyllium which has been extruded and prewetted, that is, admixed with water prior to mixing with other cereal ingredients. The prewetted psyllium, when combined with the other ingredients, yields a ready-to-eat cereal which has organoleptic properties superior to similar cereals where the psyllium has not been so treated. The cereals of the invention are particularly useful in lowering the serum cholesterol levels of individuals who consume them. Preferred cereals include ingredients such as wheat, corn or oat flours. Preferred forms of the cereals include flakes, puffs, nuggets, shreds, buds, and biscuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: James G. Kincaid, Michael W. Talbot
  • Patent number: 5380542
    Abstract: A cereal or grain hydrolysate-containing composition which is derived from the enzymatic, e.g., amylase, hydrolysis of cereal or grain in combination with a hydrocolloid, preferably carrageenan or a blend of xanthan gum and locust bean gum, can be effectively used as a fat mimic in preparing low fat comminuted meat products. Thermo-irreversible gels useful for providing non-fat fat mimics can also be prepared in accordance with the invention. In addition to amylase, the enzyme used for the hydrolysis of the cereal/grain substrate can be selected from the group consisting of amyloglucosidases (.alpha. -1,4-glucan glucohydrolase), cellulases (.beta. -1,4-glucanohydrolase), pullulanases (pullulane 6-glucanohydrolase), cyclodextrine glycosyltransferase (.alpha. -1,4-glucan-4-glycosyltransferase), proteases and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Specialties Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Jenkins, James L. Wild
  • 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: 5370882
    Abstract: The taste of foods and beverages containing less than a normal amount of sodium chloride is enhanced by addition of a food-acceptable encapsulated ammonium salt. Food-acceptable carrier agents for encapsulating food-acceptable ammonium salts include maltodextrin, gum arabic and gelatinized starches, in particular, starches which have a high amylopectin content, and in particular, a gelatinized starch hydrolysate debranched at 1,6-alpha-D-glycosidic linkages. The ammonium salts are usefully prepared with ammonia recovered during spray-drying of fermented soy sauce and by recovering ammonia formed by acid hydrolysis of a protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Eldon C. Lee, John S. Tandy