Patents by Inventor Norbert Gimmler

Norbert Gimmler 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: 11612181
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing flake-like cereal without the use of a flaking mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANY
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Kevin J. Laubenthal
  • Publication number: 20200383370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing flake-like cereal without the use of a flaking mill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Kevin J. Laubenthal
  • Patent number: 10750772
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing flake-like cereal without the use of a flaking mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANY
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Kevin J. Laubenthal
  • Patent number: 9955720
    Abstract: A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Charles A. Smith, Chris Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20170202261
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing flake-like cereal without the use of a flaking mill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Kevin J. Laubenthal
  • Publication number: 20160100623
    Abstract: A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Charles A. Smith, Chris Willoughby
  • Patent number: 9247752
    Abstract: A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Charles A. Smith, Chris Willoughby
  • Patent number: 9113657
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Chris Willoughby, Charles A. Smith, Norbert Gimmler
  • Patent number: 8944798
    Abstract: A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Helbert David Almeida Dominguez, Charles Bernath, Charles A. Smith, Penny Engle
  • Patent number: 8367139
    Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Haynes, Norbert Gimmler, John P. Locke, III, Mee-Ra Kweon, Louise Slade, Harry Levine
  • Publication number: 20110311669
    Abstract: A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert GIMMLER, Helbert David ALMEIDA DOMINGUEZ, Charles BERNATH, Charles A. SMITH, Terry ENGLE, Penny ENGLE
  • Publication number: 20110293788
    Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Lynn HAYNES, Norbert GIMMLER, John P. LOCKE, III, Mee-Ra KWEON, Louise SLADE, Harry LEVINE
  • Publication number: 20110177191
    Abstract: A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Charles A. Smith, Chris Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7972643
    Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Haynes, Norbert Gimmler, John P. Locke, III, Mee-Ra Kweon, Louise Slade, Harry Levine
  • Publication number: 20110135794
    Abstract: A cooking system includes a main wheel having a first surface and a secondary wheel having a second surface. The second surface of the secondary wheel mates with the first surface of the main wheel at a nip to form and set a grain based material disposed between the first and second surfaces. The grain based material may be dried, toasted, baked, puffed, or blistered between first and second surfaces. The method begins by disposing a cooked or uncooked grain based material over the first surface. The second surface, which corresponds to the first surface is applied to the grain based material at the nip to form and set the grain based material between the first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces is heated to heat the grain based material disposed between the first and second surfaces to produce a ready-to-eat grain based product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert Gimmler, Charles Gambino, Hillis Kauffman, Terry Engle, Penny Engle
  • Publication number: 20110091594
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Chris Willoughby, Charles A. Smith, Norbert Gimmler
  • Patent number: 7883735
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Chris Willoughby, Charles A. Smith, Norbert Gimmler
  • Publication number: 20090211570
    Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn HAYNES, Norbert GIMMLER, John P. LOCKE, III, Mee-Ra KWEON, Louise SLADE, Harry LEVINE
  • Patent number: 7531199
    Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Haynes, Norbert Gimmler, John P. Locke, III, Mee-Ra Kweon, Louise Slade, Harry Levine
  • Publication number: 20080032016
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Chris Willoughby, Charles A. Smith, Norbert Gimmler