Patents by Inventor David A. Kirk

David A. Kirk 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: 9682791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Diane Phillips
  • Patent number: 9181011
    Abstract: Described are dough packages and packaged dough products, wherein the package includes microvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David J Domingues, Claire Thurbush, David A. Kirk, Todd Purkey
  • Publication number: 20140308408
    Abstract: Described are refrigerator-stable, chemically-leavened dough compositions, packaged dough products, and methods for preparing the same, wherein the dough compositions can be packaged and stored in a pressurized package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Scott Kackman, David A. Kirk, Jason Nagy, Tal Tostenson, Matthew W. Lorence
  • Publication number: 20120258211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Diane Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120225169
    Abstract: Described are developed, refrigerator-stable, dough compositions in moderately-pressurized packages and related methods, wherein the dough compositions contain chemical leavening agents that include low and high solubility acidic agents and encapsulated basic agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, David A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8171703
    Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Arlinghaus, David Jordan, David A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20110280998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Diane Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110177214
    Abstract: Described are dough packages that include one or more of a container and an opening, optionally including an open end and an endcap, wherein the package may be vented or non-vented, and may contain dough for storage at refrigerated conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Richard Freeman, Joanne J. Garbe, Claire Thurbush, Scott Kackman, David A. Kirk, Todd Purkey, Kay Sinclair, Gary Stacey, Matthew C. White
  • Publication number: 20100307948
    Abstract: A product package includes a product receiving cavity formed from a first, heat shrinkable film and a second, non-heat shrinkable film sealed to the first, heat shrinkable film. The second film can be provided with indicia which remains intact following completion of the product packaging. In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the package is produced utilizing a form, fill and seal system. In one embodiment, a soft, deformable refrigerated dough is packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Susan Hall
  • Publication number: 20100310742
    Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: MARK E. ARLINGHAUS, DAVID JORDAN, DAVID A. KIRK
  • Publication number: 20100310732
    Abstract: A pliable, sealed package made from one or more flexible films is used to store an uncooked dough product, with the dough product proofing within the sealed package so as to establish and maintain a greater than ambient pressure within the sealed package. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the overall package is produced utilizing a horizontal form, fill and seal system. The sealed package can be shrunk and/or wrapped to also provide an external force which is essentially transferred to static pressure with the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Susan Hall
  • Patent number: D619888
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Susan Hall, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman
  • Patent number: D621278
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Susan Hall, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman
  • Patent number: D643744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Susan Hall, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman
  • Patent number: D646181
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, Susan Hall, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman
  • Patent number: D660142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D665250
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D665251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D686913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D695103
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry