Patents by Inventor David Plank

David Plank 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: 11147284
    Abstract: A composition and method for manufacturing nut butters that are resistant to oil separation. The composition may comprise one or more nut butters, konjac fiber, water, a secondary fat, and flavorings. The ingredients are preferably blended via low-shear mixing. The konjac fiber may be derived from corm konjac and may also take the form of a konjac flour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NUT BUTTER CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventor: David Plank
  • Publication number: 20190320675
    Abstract: A composition and method for manufacturing nut butters that are resistant to oil separation. The composition may comprise one or more nut butters, konjac fiber, water, a secondary fat, and flavorings. The ingredients are preferably blended via low-shear mixing. The konjac fiber may be derived from corm konjac and may also take the form of a konjac flour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Nut Butter Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: David Plank
  • Publication number: 20070196544
    Abstract: Oil resistant package material and packages prepared therefrom have cyclodextrin incorporated in or adjacent to a film layer of the package to reduce the permeation of oil through the package material, and particularly out of the package. The film layer comprises a polymer that coordinates or bonds with a cyclodextrin compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the permeation of oil through the film layer as compared to a like film layer that does not contain cyclodextrin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Marcia Popa, Randal Monforton, David Plank, Jonathan Devries
  • Publication number: 20060088648
    Abstract: Disclosed are microwave popcorn articles including thaumatin to provide improved texture and flavor. The articles can include a hydrogenated fat, liquid oil and/or a thickened liquid (at room temperature) oil and their methods of preparation. The microwave popcorn articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag or container, and a food charge disposed therein comprising kernel popcorn and/or puffable pellets; 1% to 45% liquid (at room temperature) oil; and, 0% to 4% salt. The oil ingredient has a melting point of ?25° C. The oil ingredient includes an oil thickening ingredient especially a starch based oil thickening ingredient such as a cyclodextrin in amounts sufficient to dimensionally stabilize the oil. By avoiding hydrogenation to solidify the oil into a solid fat at room temperatures, finished popcorn products can be provided that are desirably low in trans fatty acid content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Heidi Teoh, Jessica Luger, David Plank
  • Publication number: 20060078655
    Abstract: Disclosed are microwave popcorn articles including a thickened liquid (at room temperature) oil and their methods of preparation. The microwave popcorn articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag or container, and a food charge disposed therein comprising kernel popcorn and/or puffable pellets; 1% to 45% liquid (at room temperature) oil; and, 0% to 4% salt. The oil ingredient has a melting point of ?25° C. The oil ingredient includes an oil thickening ingredient especially a starch based oil thickening ingredient such as a cyclodextrin in amounts sufficient to dimensionally stabilize the oil. By avoiding hydrogenation to solidify the oil into a solid fat at room temperatures, finished popcorn products can be provided that are desirably low in trans fatty acid content. The methods of preparation include preparing a heated oil thickened with cyclodextrin complexed with the oil and adding the thickened oil to the microwave container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: David Plank, Jessica Luger, Kory Kolvig
  • Patent number: 7000520
    Abstract: A slide cutter assembly for use in sectioning lengths of a packaging material drawn from a roll. The device includes an elongated and shaped body. A first roll supporting portion is located at a first end of said body and a second roll supporting portion is likewise located at a second end of the body. A cutter assembly extends from a selected lengthwise extending edge of the body and upon which an unwound length of the packaging material comes into contact. The cutter assembly incorporates a traversable blade for sectioning from the roll the length of packaging material. The roll of packaging typically comes in a generally elongated and three-dimensional shaped packaging, the cutter device being constructed so that it may be supported within an interior defined by the packaging and upon first mounting the roll between the first and second roll supporting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Monica Stautner Nichols, William H. Grassel, G. Douglas Powell, Richard W. Rider, Jeffrey M. Shoup, Jean Ann Skiles, Robert J. Speer, Frank R. Micle, David Plank
  • Publication number: 20060029707
    Abstract: Food products and food intermediates having reduced acrylamide content are provided. The food product or food intermediate comprises a first component that is a cyclodextrin; and a second component that is a non-endogenous food ingredient material selected from amino acids, salts thereof and derivatives thereof. Methods for controlling the amount of measured acrylamide in a food product or food intermediate are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: David Plank, Kory Kolvig
  • Publication number: 20060019021
    Abstract: Fat-containing compositions comprise a fat component having less than 40% by weight of trans fat and a cyclodextrin, wherein at least about 25% of the cyclodextrin in the composition is bound to the fat. The fat compositions as provided herein can be substantially more viscous or harder than a like fat composition that does not contain cyclodextrin that is bound to the fat. Food products and methods of use of food products are described. Methods of making these compositions are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: David Plank, Michael Staeger
  • Publication number: 20050276901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining the levels of sterols, stanols, steryl esters, fatty acid derivatives and combinations thereof in a starch-containing food product. The assay is particularly useful in supporting product health and/or nutritional claims in manufacturing products intended for human or animal consumption. The present invention describes a method for extracting sterols related compounds and uses as an internal standard a steryl ester, preferably cholesteryl oleate. By using the present extraction technique the process enables the recovery of substantially all of the sterol related compound in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Lewandowski, David Plank, Jonathan Devries
  • Publication number: 20050233054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel uses of cyclodextrins either separately or in combination with beta glucans, to reduce trans fat levels in food products and food intermediates, as well as to enhance the hypocholesterolemic and hypocaloric benefit either individually or synergistically with other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: David Plank, Anthony Delvecchio
  • Publication number: 20050037123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel treatment composition for use in treating food products and food intermediates. The treatment composition may be used in single, home use settings as well as commercial applications for larger scale treatment of food products in the course of manufacture. The treatment composition of the present invention uses a primary amine, such as the amino acid lysine or combinations of amino acids and modified derivatives thereof in order to limit the formation of acrylamide in food products and food intermediates without sacrificing taste or other organoleptic properties of the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: David Plank, Douglas Novak
  • Publication number: 20050025875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel treatment composition for use in treating food products and food intermediates. The treatment composition may be used in single, home use settings as well as commercial applications for larger scale treatment of food products in the course of manufacture. The treatment composition of the present invention uses at least one of alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin or combinations and modified derivatives thereof along with a suitable carrier such as in an aerosol, liquefied mister and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Plank, Daniel Lewandowski, Douglas Novak
  • Publication number: 20050019475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel uses of cyclodextrins either separately or in combination with beta glucans, to reduce trans fat levels in food products and food intermediates, as well as to enhance the hypocholesterolemic and hypocaloric benefit either individually or synergistically with other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: David Plank, Anthony Delvecchio
  • Publication number: 20040040429
    Abstract: A slide cutter assembly for use in sectioning lengths of a packaging material drawn from a roll. The device includes an elongated and shaped body. A first roll supporting portion is located at a first end of said body and a second roll supporting portion is likewise located at a second end of the body. A cutter assembly extends from a selected lengthwise extending edge of the body and upon which an unwound length of the packaging material comes into contact. The cutter assembly incorporates a traversable blade for sectioning from the roll the length of packaging material. The roll of packaging typically comes in a generally elongated and three-dimensional shaped packaging, the cutter device being constructed so that it may be supported within an interior defined by the packaging and upon first mounting the roll between the first and second roll supporting portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Monica Stautner Nichols, William H. Grassel, G. Douglas Powell, Richard W. Rider, Jeffrey M. Shoup, Jean Ann Skiles, Robert J. Speer, Frank R. Micle, David Plank
  • Publication number: 20030232068
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel component for use in a consumer food product. More specifically, the ingredient or component, provided either alone or acting synergistically with other select ingredients, is part of an ingestible food product intended for human or animal consumption that provides a health benefit. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased bile acid binding activity through the use of cyclodextrins alone or in combination with dietary fibers and/or sterols while simultaneously delivering a food product which is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel J. Lewandowski, Ravindranath Menon, David Plank
  • Publication number: 20030232444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining the levels of sterols, stanols, steryl esters, fatty acid derivatives and combinations thereof in a starch-containing food product. The assay is particularly useful in supporting product health and/or nutritional claims in manufacturing products intended for human or animal consumption. The present invention describes a method for extracting sterols related compounds and uses as an internal standard a steryl ester, preferably cholesteryl oleate. By using the present extraction technique the process enables the recovery of substantially all of the sterol related compound in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel J. Lewandowski, David Plank