Patents by Inventor Ellen L. Zimmerman

Ellen L. Zimmerman 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: 5980967
    Abstract: Baked, wheat-based, chip-like snacks having a plurality of surface bubbles comprising air pockets extending both above and below the substantially unleavened, adjacent portions of the snack are obtained with a pregelatinized waxy starch, pregelatinized potato starch, and optional modified potato starch. The pregelatinized potato starch produces a crisp, crunchy texture in the baked snack. The pregelatinized waxy starch is at least substantially uniformly hydrated prior to baking for producing bubbles during baking and for retaining the bubbles. The pregelatinized potato starch is at least substantially uniformly hydrated prior to baking for controlling bubbling caused by the pregelatinized waxy starch and for controlling texture of the bubbled and unbubbled portions of the snack chips. Use of the gluten-containing wheat flour and bubble-forming amounts of the pregelatinized waxy starch provides for the production of a cohesive, non-sticky, extensible, continuously machinable dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nabisco Technology Company
    Inventors: Julia M. Carey, Mark J. Moisey, Harry Levine, Louise Slade, Theresa E. Dzurenko, Kevin McHugh, Ellen L. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5747092
    Abstract: Baked, wheat-based, chip-like snacks having a plurality of surface bubbles comprising air pockets extending both above and below the substantially unleavened, adjacent portions of the snack are obtained with a pregelatinized waxy starch, pregelatinized potato starch, and optional modified potato starch. The pregelatinized potato starch produces a crisp, crunchy texture in the baked snack. The pregelatinized waxy starch is at least substantially uniformly hydrated prior to baking for producing bubbles during baking and for retaining the bubbles. The pregelatinized potato starch is at least substantially uniformly hydrated prior to baking for controlling bubbling caused by the pregelatinized waxy starch and for controlling texture of the bubbled and unbubbled portions of the snack chips. Use of the gluten-containing wheat flour and bubble-forming amounts of the pregelatinized waxy starch provides for the production of a cohesive, non-sticky, extensible, continuously machinable dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Nabisco Technology Company
    Inventors: Julia M. Carey, Mark J. Moisey, Harry Levine, Louise Slade, Theresa E. Dzurenko, Kevin McHugh, Ellen L. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5514387
    Abstract: The calcium content of crackers and other baked goods is substantially increased without adversely affecting texture by the use of an emulsifier composition to reduce hardness and dry mouthfeel caused by increased levels of calcium. Exemplary amounts of the emulsifier composition for achieving tenderization of the calcium fortified crackers and other baked goods may be from about 3% by weight to about 45% by weight, based upon the weight of the calcium component. Calcium carbonate is the preferred calcium enrichment component. The amount of the calcium enrichment component for providing more than 10% of the U.S. R.D.A. of 1000 mg of calcium per 15 gram serving may be from about 3% by weight to about 30% by weight, preferably from about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight, based upon the total weight of the flour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen L. Zimmerman, Julia M. Carey, Louise Slade, Harry Levine
  • Patent number: 5514404
    Abstract: Reduced fat, low fat and no-fat baked goods having a substantial amount of ungelatinized starch are produced by replacing a substantial portion of the shortening or fat of the dough with an emulsifier composition. The emulsifier composition increases the tenderness and softness of the baked good, and increases the air-holding capacity, the lubricity, lay time, and machinability of the dough, which would otherwise be diminished by the lower levels of oleaginous composition and higher levels of water. The emulsifier composition comprises: a) at least about 15% by weight, preferably from about 20% by weight to about 40% by weight of at least one polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, b) at least about 5% by weight, preferably from about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight of at least one lecithin, and c) at least about 20% by weight, preferably from about 35% by weight to about 70% by weight of at least one stearoyl lactylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen L. Zimmerman, Julia M. Carey, Louise Slade, Harry Levine