Patents by Inventor Robert A. Zoss

Robert A. Zoss 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: 20170347672
    Abstract: Disclosed are packaged frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products and methods of heating the food products. The packaged precooked frozen dough or batter-based food products comprises one or more frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products that are encased in a pouch for heating. The pouch is sealed with the exception of the presence of two or more vent holes that function to release air or steam that may otherwise cause the food product to become soggy when they are heated in an oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Arthur, Anita L. Fischbach, Andrea Stransky, Robert A. Zoss, Bruce D. Larson
  • Patent number: 9199779
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignees: General Mills, Inc., Dairy Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio, Jeffrey Enz, Michael J. Engstrom, Dan Genord
  • Patent number: 9045262
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zoss
  • Patent number: 8815318
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio, Jeffrey Enz, Michael J. Engstrom, Bryan Scholtes
  • Patent number: 8608381
    Abstract: Vertical fill and form bags fabricated from flexible packaging film are provided with at least one transverse seal at an oblique angle. Upon opening, the oblique angled seal provides a natural use easy pour dispensing feature. The bag is intuitively and ergonomically easy to use to facilitate controlled pouring without spilling. The bag are especially useful for bulk particulate contents especially consumer food products such as ready-to-eat cereals for use in food service venues such as universities and hospitals. Apparatus and method of preparation for the productions of the easy pour bulk bags are described including using transverse sealers at least one of which is oriented at an angle such as to impart the oblique angled transverse seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zoss
  • Patent number: 8485378
    Abstract: Food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package, wherein the packages can contain multiple food products such as cereal and milk, but not necessarily cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner. One food package includes a lower container and an upper container, wherein the upper container includes an interior space that is defined by a three-dimensional bottom having at least one aperture, and sidewalls, with a reservoir formed in the three-dimensional bottom and including a volume at the bottom of the reservoir located below the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Bryan Scholtes, Dan Genord
  • Publication number: 20120186409
    Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: James R. Baeten, Vanessa L. Little, Karalyn A. Littlefield, Mark W. Yungner, Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio
  • Publication number: 20120183653
    Abstract: Disclosed are packaged frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products and methods of heating the food products. The packaged precooked frozen dough or batter-based food products comprises one or more frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products that are encased in a pouch for heating. The pouch is sealed with the exception of the presence of two or more vent holes that function to release air or steam that may otherwise cause the food product to become soggy when they are heated in an oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. Arthur, Anita L. Fischbach, Andrea Stransky, Robert A. Zoss, Bruce Larson
  • Patent number: 8151674
    Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Baeten, Vanessa L. Little, Karalyn A. Littlefield, Mark W. Yungner, Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio
  • Publication number: 20110297706
    Abstract: Universal fitments for attachment to spouts having various internal diameters and/or various threadings and methods of using the same. The universal fitments may attach to spouts around their outer diameters and/or within their inner diameters. Some universal fitments include an outer circumferential member having a central aperture extending therethrough and a deformable inner circumferential member adjoined to the inner surface of the outer circumferential member. Other universal fitments include a central longitudinal member and a flexible flange encircling the central longitudinal member. Still other universal fitments include a central longitudinal member having a proximal flange and a distal flange, a circumferential member comprised of a compressible material surrounding the central longitudinal member and abutting the proximal flange, a cap member, and a cylindrical member adjoined to the proximal end of the cap member and having a threaded surface which interacts with the distal flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Zoss
  • Publication number: 20100319504
    Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Baeten, Vanessa L. Little, Karalyn A. Littlefield, Mark W. Yungner, Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio
  • Publication number: 20100260901
    Abstract: Described are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including cereal and milk, but not necessarily cereal, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Bryan Scholtes, Dan Genord
  • Publication number: 20100199500
    Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall. In one form, the sleeve has a length less than the peripheral length of the sidewall and includes first and second pivotally connected flaps. The cutting line abuts with the sidewall within the space between the first and second flaps. In preferred aspects, the sleeve is disposed in the interior of the tray after baking of a food product in the interior of the tray. In other preferred aspects, the sleeve includes tabs inserted into slits in the bottom of the tray to prevent the sleeve from floating in the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: JAMES R. BAETEN, Mark W. Yungner, Robert A. Zoss
  • Publication number: 20100151090
    Abstract: Disclosed are packaged frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products and methods of heating the food products. The packaged precooked frozen dough or batter-based food products comprises one or more frozen precooked dough or batter-based food products that are encased in a pouch for heating. The pouch is sealed with the exception of the presence of two or more vent holes that function to release air or steam that may otherwise cause the food product to become soggy when they are heated in an oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Arthur, Anita L. Fischbach, Andrea Stransky, Robert A. Zoss, Bruce Larson
  • Publication number: 20100112146
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Robert A. Zoss
  • Publication number: 20100003379
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio, Jeffrey Enz, Michael J. Engstrom, Bryan Scholtes
  • Publication number: 20090311389
    Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio, Jeffrey Enz, Michael J. Engstrom, Dan Genord
  • Publication number: 20060285781
    Abstract: Vertical fill and form bags fabricated from flexible packaging film are provided with at least one transverse seal at an oblique angle. Upon opening, the oblique angled seal provides a natural use easy pour dispensing feature. The bag is intuitively and ergonomically easy to use to facilitate controlled pouring without spilling. The bag are especially useful for bulk particulate contents especially consumer food products such as ready-to-eat cereals for use in food service venues such as universities and hospitals. Apparatus and method of preparation for the productions of the easy pour bulk bags are described including using transverse sealers at least one of which is oriented at an angle such as to impart the oblique angled transverse seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Zoss
  • Publication number: 20060185176
    Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus comprising a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: James Baeten, Vanessa Little, Karalyn Littlefield, Mark Yungner, Robert Zoss
  • Publication number: 20020112614
    Abstract: A baking receptacle for baking a food product in an oven, including baking items such as muffins, cakes, rolls, etc. The receptacle is comprised of a sheet of thin ovenable material formed to define a bottom, a side wall, and a folded top portion. The side wall extends from the bottom and forms readily expandable, longitudinal pleats. The folded top portion extends from the sidewall opposite the bottom and includes, in one preferred embodiment, a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section is folded relative to the side wall such that a first fold angle is defined by the side wall and the first section. Similarly, the second section is folded relative to the first section such that a second fold angle is defined by the first section and the second section. Finally, the third section is folded relative to the second section such that a third fold angle is defined by the second section and the third section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Zoss