Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Winderl

Daniel J. Winderl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10596603
    Abstract: The separation of oats from a combination of grains is performed by obtaining optical data includes both reflectance data and visual data and then analyzing the data in multiple ways, including analyzing information obtained based on ratios of wavelengths and grain imagery. The reflectance data relies on near infrared spectroscopy at requisite ratios of wavelengths in the range of 1100 nm to 2200 nm, while the grain imagery encompasses images of both sides of each of the combination of grains and can also take into account grain size and shape differentiations. The results is an oats separation process wherein at least 99% of foreign grains are rejected with only about 3% of the oats being rejected, while enabling volume processing of grains and establishing a supply of oats with a gluten level well below 20 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Arlinghaus, Troy D. Bierbaum, Christine M. Nowakowski, Daniel J. Winderl, Philip K. Zietlow
  • Patent number: 10357051
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm relies upon performing a series of differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains, followed by a re-shaping operation to compress the oat grains but not the foreign grains. Thereafter, the compressed oat grains are separated from the foreign grains to establish the gluten-free oats. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K Zietlow, Daniel J Winderl, Jay Romsa, Kara M Hobart, John M Hellweg, Troy D Bierbaum
  • Patent number: 10086377
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing various mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The mechanical differentiation operations can be arranged in series or in a combination of series and parallel operations. The various operations preferably include width grading and multiple length grading steps, as well as an aspirating steps, as well as a potential debearding step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K Zietlow, Daniel J Winderl, Mark E Arlinghaus
  • Publication number: 20180236453
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing various mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The mechanical differentiation operations can be arranged in series or in a combination of series and parallel operations. The various operations preferably include width grading and multiple length grading steps, as well as an aspirating steps, as well as a potential debearding step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K. Zietlow, Daniel J. Winderl, Mark E. Arlinghaus
  • Patent number: 9968937
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing various mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The mechanical differentiation operations can be arranged in series or in a combination of series and parallel operations. The various operations preferably include width grading and multiple length grading steps, as well as an aspirating steps, as well as a potential debearding step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K Zietlow, Daniel J Winderl, Mark E Arlinghaus
  • Patent number: 9862004
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing a series of mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The various operations include aspiration, width grading and length grading steps, as well as a late stage density separating step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K Zietlow, Daniel J Winderl, Jay Romsa, Kara M Hobart, John M Hellweg, Troy D Bierbaum
  • Patent number: 9700919
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing a series of mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The various operations include aspiration, width grading and length grading steps, as well as a late stage density separating step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K Zietlow, Daniel J Winderl, Jay Romsa, Kara M Hobart, John M Hellweg, Troy D Bierbaum
  • Publication number: 20170001220
    Abstract: The separation of oats from a combination of grains is performed by obtaining optical data includes both reflectance data and visual data and then analyzing the data in multiple ways, including analyzing information obtained based on ratios of wavelengths and grain imagery. The reflectance data relies on near infrared spectroscopy at requisite ratios of wavelengths in the range of 1100 nm to 2200 nm, while the grain imagery encompasses images of both sides of each of the combination of grains and can also take into account grain size and shape differentiations. The results is an oats separation process wherein at least 99% of foreign grains are rejected with only about 3% of the oats being rejected, while enabling volume processing of grains and establishing a supply of oats with a gluten level well below 20 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Arlinghaus, Troy D. Bierbaum, Christine M. Nowakowski, Daniel J. Winderl, Philip K. Zietlow
  • Patent number: 9463493
    Abstract: The separation of oats from a combination of grains is performed by obtaining optical data includes both reflectance data and visual data and then analyzing the data in multiple ways, including analyzing information obtained based on ratios of wavelengths and grain imagery. The reflectance data relies on near infrared spectroscopy at requisite ratios of wavelengths in the range of 1100 nm to 2200 nm, while the grain imagery encompasses images of both sides of each of the combination of grains and can also take into account grain size and shape differentiations. The results is an oats separation process wherein at least 99% of foreign grains are rejected with only about 3% of the oats being rejected, while enabling volume processing of grains and establishing a supply of oats with a gluten level well below 20 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A Arlinghaus, Troy D Bierbaum, Christine M Nowakowski, Daniel J Winderl, Philip K Zietlow
  • Publication number: 20160207048
    Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing various mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The mechanical differentiation operations can be arranged in series or in a combination of series and parallel operations. The various operations preferably include width grading and multiple length grading steps, as well as an aspirating steps, as well as a potential debearding step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: GENERAL MILLS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip K. Zietlow, Daniel J. Winderl, Mark E. Arlinghaus