Patents by Inventor Sharon R. Birney

Sharon R. Birney 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: 8110231
    Abstract: A method of producing a cereal bar is provided in which the cereal comprises a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces joined together with a binder, where the cereal and binder together form a cereal matrix which is heated for a time and temperature to reduce the water activity of the external portion thereof while maintaining an internal portion of the cereal matrix at a higher second water activity. The method provides cereal bars requiring less compressive force to be formed into a cohesive self-supporting structure in providing a chewy reduced-density cereal bar with improved shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Edward C. Coleman, Sharon R. Birney, Robert E. Altomare
  • Patent number: 7118774
    Abstract: A cereal bar and its method of production is provided, in which the cereal bar comprises a pressed mixture including (I) a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces and a first binder, (ii) a filler comprising a plurality of discrete agglomerates in which the agglomerates individually comprise a plurality of particles comprising milk protein product joined together with a second binder, and the first binder binds the cereal pieces and the agglomerates together. The cereal bars of the present invention provide nutritional value without sacrificing taste and flavor, as well as possess a reasonable shelf life during which the texture remains chewy without being sticky, hard, or crumbly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Coleman, Sharon R. Birney, Rita W. Brander
  • Publication number: 20040126477
    Abstract: A cereal bar and its method of production is provided, in which the cereal bar comprises a pressed mixture including (I) a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces and a first binder, (ii) a filler comprising a plurality of discrete agglomerates in which the agglomerates individually comprise a plurality of particles comprising milk protein product joined together with a second binder, and the first binder binds the cereal pieces and the agglomerates together. The cereal bars of the present invention provide nutritional value without sacrificing taste and flavor, as well as possess a reasonable shelf life during which the texture remains chewy without being sticky, hard, or crumbly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Coleman, Sharon R. Birney, Rita W. Brander
  • Patent number: 6210723
    Abstract: A baked food product comprised of a yeast-leavened, bread-like crust completely enrobing a cheese filling. The product may be shaped for reheating in a toaster or toaster oven or on a grill. The filling may have particulate food particulates added, such as diced meat and/or vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Coleman, Sharon R. Birney, Twyla P. Stubblefield, Robert J. Martin, Raymond J. Laudano, Rita W. Brander
  • Patent number: 5380545
    Abstract: A dry starch material is incorporated into a comminuted meat which is then shaped as desired. Thereafter, a dry mix containing a combination of salt having a particle size of 100% by weight minus 100 U.S. mesh and carrageenan is applied to the surface the shaped meat before cooking in a microwave or conventional oven. The cooked product retains a higher amount of moisture and has improved appearance, taste and texture as compared to cooked meat, poultry or seafood which is not treated before cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Mason, Edward C. Coleman, Dalip K. Nayyar, Sharon R. Birney
  • Patent number: 5356647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing moisture loss in a cooked meat and intensifying the flavor impact of seasoning applied to the surface of the meat by coating the surface of the meat with glycerol, applying seasoning to the coated surface and cooking the coated, seasoned meat. In addition, the present invention relates to a coating combination which when coated onto a meat and then cooked imparts to the cooked meat a moist and marinated-like flavor, about the coating combination consisting of about 20 to about 33% by weight glycerol and about 67 to about 80% by weight seasoning, the weight percent being of the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Mason, Edward C. Coleman, Dalip K. Nayyar, Sharon R. Birney
  • Patent number: 5250312
    Abstract: A dry mix containing a combination of salt having a particle size of 100% by weight minus 100 U.S. mesh and carrageenan is applied to the surface of uncooked meat, poultry or seafood before cooking in a microwave or conventional oven. The salt and carrageenan may also be applied in the form of an aqueous slurry. The cooked product retains a higher amount of moisture and has improved appearance, taste and texture as compared to cooked meat, poultry or seafood which is not treated before cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Mason, Edward C. Coleman, Sharon R. Birney, Dalip K. Nayyar
  • Patent number: 4283425
    Abstract: A potato chip having an added fat content of up to about 10% is prepared by coating the raw potato slice with globular protein, applying a layer of edible oil on top of the protein coating and subjecting the raw coated slice to microwave heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Mary W. Yuan, Sharon R. Birney