Patents by Inventor David W. Plank

David W. 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: 9927414
    Abstract: The amount of dietary fiber in a sample can be quantified by dissoluting the sample to produce a dietary fiber solution and then centrifuging the dietary fiber solution to produce a pellet and a supernatant liquid. After separating the supernatant liquid from the pellet, the pellet can be analyzed to determine a content of non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. The dietary fiber content in the pellet can be determined from the content of the non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. By using centrifugation to help isolate the dietary fiber in the sample, fiber loss may be minimized, leading to a more accurate determination of the content of dietary fiber in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Lindsey M. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9738920
    Abstract: An analysis technique can be performed to quantify the digestible protein content of a protein-containing sample outside the body of a living organism. Traditionally, protein digestibility is evaluated in vivo, for example using a rat subject to measure protein digestibility after being fed the protein-containing sample. In some examples, an in vitro technique involves enzymatically digesting the protein-containing sample to simulate digestion that would occur inside a mammalian body. The sample can then be optically analyzed to measure the amount of reactive amine present in the sample, which can provide an indication of the amount of amino acid released during digestion. In some examples, the measured reactive amine value is adjusted to account for the stronger and/or weaker optical response of certain amino acids due to their relative reactivity with an optical tagging agent. Thereafter, an in vivo protein digestibility value can be calculated based on adjusted amine concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Plank
  • Publication number: 20160208309
    Abstract: An analysis technique can be performed to quantify the digestible protein content of a protein-containing sample outside the body of a living organism. Traditionally, protein digestibility is evaluated in vivo, for example using a rat subject to measure protein digestibility after being fed the protein-containing sample. In some examples, an in vitro technique involves enzymatically digesting the protein-containing sample to simulate digestion that would occur inside a mammalian body. The sample can then be optically analyzed to measure the amount of reactive amine present in the sample, which can provide an indication of the amount of amino acid released during digestion. In some examples, the measured reactive amine value is adjusted to account for the stronger and/or weaker optical response of certain amino acids due to their relative reactivity with an optical tagging agent. Thereafter, an in vivo protein digestibility value can be calculated based on adjusted amine concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: David W. Plank
  • Publication number: 20160146770
    Abstract: The amount of dietary fiber in a sample can be quantified by dissoluting the sample to produce a dietary fiber solution and then centrifuging the dietary fiber solution to produce a pellet and a supernatant liquid. After separating the supernatant liquid from the pellet, the pellet can be analyzed to determine a content of non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. The dietary fiber content in the pellet can be determined from the content of the non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. By using centrifugation to help isolate the dietary fiber in the sample, fiber loss may be minimized, leading to a more accurate determination of the content of dietary fiber in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Lindsey M. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9222863
    Abstract: The amount of dietary fiber in a sample can be quantified by dissoluting the sample to produce a dietary fiber solution and then centrifuging the dietary fiber solution to produce a pellet and a supernatant liquid. After separating the supernatant liquid from the pellet, the pellet can be analyzed to determine a content of non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. The dietary fiber content in the pellet can be determined from the content of the non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. By using centrifugation to help isolate the dietary fiber in the sample, fiber loss may be minimized, leading to a more accurate determination of the content of dietary fiber in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Lindsey M. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9220281
    Abstract: Disclosed are hydrated fat piece compositions along with various methods of making hydrated fat piece compositions. Also disclosed are dough compositions and baked articles made using the hydrated fat piece compositions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Braden J. Erickson, Alan A. Oppenheimer, Jon D. (Duke) Seibold, Michael A. Staeger
  • Publication number: 20140308692
    Abstract: The amount of dietary fiber in a sample can be quantified by dissoluting the sample to produce a dietary fiber solution and then centrifuging the dietary fiber solution to produce a pellet and a supernatant liquid. After separating the supernatant liquid from the pellet, the pellet can be analyzed to determine a content of non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. The dietary fiber content in the pellet can be determined from the content of the non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. By using centrifugation to help isolate the dietary fiber in the sample, fiber loss may be minimized, leading to a more accurate determination of the content of dietary fiber in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Lindsey M. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 8790735
    Abstract: Methods and food product compositions are provided for preferentially reducing absorption of saturated fat whereby the effective caloric content of a fat-containing food product is reduced by about 25% of the effective caloric content contributed by a saturated fat. This food product is prepared with a major portion of the saturated fat present in the food product being complexed with a solubilized alpha and/or beta cyclodextrin. Food products comprising a fat component comprising mixtures of saturated and unsaturated fat fractions are provided wherein the saturated fat fraction is desirably selectively more complexed to reduce its relative metabolic availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Plank
  • Patent number: 8568809
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Diamond Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia A. Popa, Randal J. Monforton, David W. Plank, Jonathan W. DeVries
  • Patent number: 8168248
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Barrie R. Froseth, Jonathan W. Devries
  • Patent number: 8137729
    Abstract: A process of preparing a complexed fat composition in a continuous process is provided. The process comprises mixing a cyclodextrin with a solvent in an in-line mixing system at a temperature of from about 180 to about 200° F. (82.2 to about 93.3° C.), thereby solubilizing the cyclodextrin; mixing fat and the solubilized cyclodextrin in a static mixer mixing system at a temperature of from about 80 to about 120° F. (26.7 to about 48.9° C.) to form a fat/cyclodextrin composition comprising a fat/cyclodextrin complex; and cooling the fat/cyclodextrin composition in an in-line mixing system. The described continuous process is a very efficient manner of complexing fat with cyclodextrin, and provides compositions that exhibit excellent uniformity and homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K. Zietlow, David W. Plank
  • Patent number: 8057837
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Jessica Raby Luger, Kory M. Kolvig
  • Patent number: 7959966
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Michael A. Staeger
  • Publication number: 20100285183
    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: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Diamond Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia A. Popa, Randal J. Monforton, David W. Plank, Jonathan W. DeVries
  • Publication number: 20100209581
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Barrie R. Froseth, Jonathan W. Devries
  • Publication number: 20100203220
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Michael A. Staeger
  • Patent number: 7736684
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Michael A. Staeger
  • Patent number: 7732000
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Barrie R. Froseth, Jonathan W. Devries
  • Patent number: 7713561
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Diamond Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia A. Popa, Randal J. Monforton, David W. Plank, Jonathan W. Devries
  • Patent number: 7638336
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Lewandowski, David W. Plank, Jonathan W. Devries