Patents by Inventor Michael Grant Topor

Michael Grant Topor 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: 9215886
    Abstract: A method for making a food product with a low acrylamide content having organoleptical properties comparable to traditional food products. Potatoes containing a low reducing sugar concentration are used to make potato flakes. Dextrose is added to the low reducing sugar potato flakes to increase the total reducing sugar concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar Bhaskar, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20130034628
    Abstract: Acrylamide reducing agents are added to a sugar solution during the molasses making and sugar refining processes to maximize efficiency of the acrylamide reducing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Scott FAGAN, Amanda GRZEDA, Michael Grant TOPOR
  • Patent number: 8124160
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 8114463
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20110104345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making low acrylamide food ingredients. When the treated food ingredient powders or flakes made by the present invention are used to make a low moisture, shelf stable food product, the level of acrylamide will be lower than if untreated food ingredient powders or flakes are used. The present invention is directed towards making dehydrated food ingredients from raw foods having relatively high levels of reducing sugars by making a dryable puree. Optionally an acrylamide reducing agent can be added to the puree before drum drying and grinding the dried puree into a powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar BHASKAR, Amanda GRZEDA, Jennifer Bell RAYMOND, Michael Grant TOPOR, Thomas Anthony TREZZA
  • Patent number: 7820223
    Abstract: The present invention discloses formulations for sheeted, baked sweet potato chips that have a light, crispy texture similar to a white potato chip. The ingredients are combined with water and oil to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are baked to produce sweet potato snack chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar Bhaskar, Donald Vaughn Neel, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7811618
    Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of asparagine, a pre-cursor of acrylamide, in food products that are thermally processed. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on contacting a potato feed such as potato slices containing asparagine, an acrylamide pre-cursor, with a leaching solution to extract asparagine out of the potato feed. Thermally processing the leached potatoes will result in a potato product having a lower level of acrylamide than a non-leached, thermally processed potato product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Boudreaux, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Vincent Allen Elder, John Gregory Fulcher, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Wu Li, V.N. Mohan Rao, Michael Grant Topor, Gerald Vogel
  • Publication number: 20100255167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the level of acrylamide in a thermally processed food. In one aspect, acrylamide is first formed in a thermally processed food or food ingredient and is subsequently removed from the food or food ingredeint. The acrylamide can be removed by polymerizing the acrylamide, dissolving the acrylamide, and/or causing vaporization of the acrylamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wilfred Marcellien Bourg, JR., Pravin Maganlal Desai, Bradley Scott Shepard, Michael Grant Topor, Gerald James Vogel
  • Patent number: 7767247
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V.N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7763306
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7763305
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7763304
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20100143540
    Abstract: A method for making a food product with a low acrylamide content having organoleptical properties, comparable to traditional food products. Potatoes containing a low reducing sugar concentration are used to make potato flakes. Dextrose is added to the low reducing sugar potato flakes to increase the total reducing sugar concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar Bhaskar, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20100080868
    Abstract: A method for producing a dehydrated potato product and products incorporating the dehydrated potato product. The method includes macerating uncooked whole potatoes to form a slurry. The resultant slurry is then optionally decanted to remove excess liquid. Then the slurry is cooked to form a potato mash. The potato mash is then chilled which provides an opportunity to retrograde the starch as well as reduce the mash cohesiveness. The mash is then dehydrated to form a dehydrated potato product. Throughout various stages of processing, additives can be incorporated to adjust the texture, adhesiveness, taste, color, and shape retention of the final food product. The additives may be incorporated during the slurry phase wherein they are more readily absorbed. Further, additives may also be incorporated which reduce undesirable puffing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas George Crosby, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Renu Matthew, Michael Grant Topor, Gerald James Vogel, Gregory Thomas West
  • Publication number: 20090130292
    Abstract: The present invention discloses formulations for sheeted, baked sweet potato chips that have a light, crispy texture similar to a white potato chip. The ingredients are combined with water and oil to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are baked to produce sweet potato snack chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar Bhaskar, Donald Vaughn Neel, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20080299273
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making low acrylamide potato flakes. When the treated potato flakes made by the present invention are used to make a low moisture, shelf stable food product, the level of acrylamide will be lower than if untreated flakes are used. The present invention is directed towards treating potato slices in an acidic solution prior to the mashing step. Optionally an acrylamide reducing agent can be added to the cooked and mashed potatoes before drum drying the potato mash and grinding the dried mash into potato flakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ajay Rajeshwar Bhaskar, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7393550
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inv.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V. N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: 7267834
    Abstract: In fabricated, thermally processed snack foods, the addition of one of a select group of amino acids to the recipe for the food inhibits the formation of acrylamide during the thermal processing. The amino acid can come from the group of cysteine, lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, and arginine and can be a commercially available amino acid or in a free form in an ingredient added to the food. Amino acids can be added to fabricated foods at the admix stage or by exposing raw food stock to a solution containing a concentration of the amino acid additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Allen Elder, John Gregory Fulcher, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, Michael Grant Topor
  • Publication number: 20040166210
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Colin Jeffrey Burnham, Pravin Maganlal Desai, Ponnattu Kurian Joseph, Henry Kin-Hang Leung, John Richard Masson, V.N. Mohan Rao, Robert William Saunders, James William Stalder, Michael Grant Topor
  • Patent number: D488282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Barry, Aline Teixeira Caixeta, Lori Ann Lippian, Michael Grant Topor