Patents by Inventor Goeran Walther

Goeran Walther 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).

  • Publication number: 20240081372
    Abstract: A method of preparing a high fat extruded protein product includes feeding water, a first fat, and a blend of plant proteins to an extruder to produce an extruded protein mixture. The extruded protein mixture is directed through a cooling die and divided into pieces, with the pieces being subsequently tumbled with oil. The resulting high fat extruded protein product will have at least 15-23% total fat by weight and, upon cooking, exhibits a desirable grease-out effect (e.g., reminiscent of a traditional pepperoni product). The blend of plant proteins preferably includes soy protein, wheat gluten and a grain or starch-based ingredient, and makes up at least 40-50%, by weight, of the high fat extruded protein product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Andriana V. Schirack, Goeran Walther, Robert J. Harrison, Benjamin Lee Heitke
  • Patent number: 11793214
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C Robie, Kevin H Wright, Joel R Lafavor, Caleb Ian Heck
  • Patent number: 11737479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I Heck, Steven C Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Publication number: 20230157345
    Abstract: Individual non-sticky coated food pieces are produced by applying a composition to a surface of food pieces to produce coated food pieces. The composition includes water and a soluble solids component having a soluble solids content including erythritol in an amount of about 50%-90% by dry weight of the soluble solids content. The soluble solids content also includes a water-soluble carbohydrate having an average dextrose equivalent (DE) of 4 to 30 in an amount of about 2%-40% by dry weight of the soluble solids content. The coated food pieces are dried to form dried pieces having at least a partial coating in which the soluble solids component has a crystallinity of from about 15%-60%, the erythritol contributing substantially all the crystallinity of the coating. The dried pieces are cooled to produce the individual non-sticky coated food pieces, which are then packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Goedeken, Todd Harper, Christine M. Nowakowski, Goeran Walther, Scott K. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20220287340
    Abstract: Dried coated food pieces are produced by applying a composition to a surface of food pieces to produce coated food pieces. The composition includes water and a soluble solids component having a soluble solids content including erythritol in an amount more than 10% and up to about 50% by dry weight of the soluble solid content and sucrose in an amount of about 50% and up to about 90% of the soluble solids content. No more than 10% by dry weight of the soluble solids content is other than erythritol and sucrose. The coated food pieces are dried to form dried food pieces having at least a partial coating. The coating includes at least a portion of the sucrose in crystal form and at least a portion of the erythritol in crystal form. The coating has a crystallinity of about 20% to about 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Goedeken, Goeran Walther, Scott K. Whitman
  • Patent number: 11279552
    Abstract: A food kit may include a food item, a shaped food seasoning product, and a container. In some examples, the shaped food seasoning product defines a three-dimensional shape and includes a binder material binding the shaped food seasoning product together to define the three-dimensional shape and seasoning. The seasoning may form greater than 20 weight percent of the shaped food seasoning product. The container may enclose the food item and the shaped food seasoning product so that the food item and the shaped food seasoning product are contained inside the container. During use, a consumer may transfer the contents of the food kit to a cooking container and add liquid to the container, causing the shaped food seasoning product to dissolve and release the seasoning bound in the seasoning product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Heitke, Christopher J. Barrett, Goeran Walther, Kenneth L. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20210289828
    Abstract: A coating having no non-intact sugar sources and having a good texture, flavor, structure, and bowl life is described. A coating includes erythritol in an amount of about 40% to about 70% by dry weight and a sprouted whole grain ingredient in an amount of about 10% to about 30% by dry weight. Also described are coated food pieces and methods of making coated food pieces using a novel coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Goedeken, Shintaro Pang, Goeran Walther
  • Publication number: 20210127708
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor
  • Patent number: 10918117
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C Robie, Kevin H Wright, Joel R Lafavor
  • Patent number: 10798950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20200288748
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I Heck, Steven C Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Publication number: 20200196630
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor
  • Publication number: 20190289877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10321702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20190014810
    Abstract: An encapsulated product including solid particles of a matrix in which discrete, film coated oil droplets are embedded is provided. The matrix includes a continuous phase in which a discrete phase of the matrix and the oil droplets are embedded. The encapsulated product disintegrates readily in water or an aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran WALTHER, Ben HEITKE, Bernhard VAN LENGERICH
  • Publication number: 20180098557
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H. van Lengerich, Steven C. Robie, James N. Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20180077950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I. Heck, Steven C. Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Patent number: 9877498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H. van Lengerich, Steven C. Robie, James N. Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20160205986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor
  • Publication number: 20160205985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: GENERAL MILLS, INC.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor