Patents by Inventor Stephen Paul Zimmerman

Stephen Paul Zimmerman 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: 20200383357
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of reducing the formation of acrylamide in a thermally processed food product and to cooked food products with reduced acrylamide. The method comprises providing a food product or food intermediate in need of reduction of formation of acrylamide during thermal processing and applying a bran composition to the food product or food intermediate in an amount effective to reduce formation of acrylamide during thermal processing to a level that is lower than if the composition had not been applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Deirdre E. Ortiz, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, John David Pinkston
  • Patent number: 10721949
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of reducing the formation of acrylamide in a thermally processed food product and to cooked food products with reduced acrylamide. The method comprises providing a food product or food intermediate in need of reduction of formation of acrylamide during thermal processing and applying a bran composition to the food product or food intermediate in an amount effective to reduce formation of acrylamide during thermal processing to a level that is lower than if the composition had not been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANY
    Inventors: Deirdre E. Ortiz, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, John David Pinkston
  • Publication number: 20180042275
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of reducing the formation of acrylamide in a thermally processed food product and to cooked food products with reduced acrylamide. The method comprises providing a food product or food intermediate in need of reduction of formation of acrylamide during thermal processing and applying a bran composition to the food product or food intermediate in an amount effective to reduce formation of acrylamide during thermal processing to a level that is lower than if the composition had not been applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Deirdre E. Ortiz, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, John David Pinkston
  • Patent number: 7527815
    Abstract: A method for the reduction of acrylamide in corn-based food products, corn-based food products having reduced levels of acrylamide, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the method comprises reducing the level of asparagine in a corn-based food material before final heating (e.g., cooking). In another aspect, the method comprises adding to a corn-based food material an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the amide group of free asparagine. In yet another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that a corn-based food product has reduced or low levels of acrylamide or asparagine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lee Michael Teras, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, David Vincent Zyzak, Peter Yau Tak Lin, Marko Stojanovic, Robert Alan Sanders, Maria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, John Keeney Howie, Richard Gerald Schafermeyer
  • Publication number: 20040265429
    Abstract: A method for the reduction of acrylamide in corn-based food products, corn-based food products having reduced levels of acrylamide, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the method comprises reducing the level of asparagine in a corn-based food material before final heating (e.g., cooking). In another aspect, the method comprises adding to a corn-based food material an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the amide group of free asparagine. In yet another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that a corn-based food product has reduced or low levels of acrylamide or asparagine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lee Michael Teras, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, David Vincent Zyzak, Peter Yau Tak Lin, Marko Stojanovic, Robert Alan Sanders, Maria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, John Keeney Howie, Richard Gerald Schafermeyer
  • Patent number: 6830767
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Lee Michael Teras, John Russell Herring, Stephen Paul Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040043170
    Abstract: The invention regards a plastic comprising a level of detectable 8-Nonenal ranging from about 0 to about 400 ppt. Preferably, the plastic is substantially free of perceptible off flavor. Also, in one execution the plastic is used to form a package (e.g., a food and/or beverage bearing package). The package may be constructed of a monolayer of plastic material. Typically, about 20 to about 100% of the package comprises from about 0 to about 1900 ppt of 8-Nonenal. Preferably, the level of the 8-Nonenal of a stored food or beverage product stored in the package for 7 days at a temperature of 150° F. ranges from about 0 to about 400 ppt as measured in a grouping of representative packages with product therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Thomas Russell Morsch, Robert Alan Sanders, Peter Michael Searles, Amy Kai Woo, David Vincent Zyzak
  • Patent number: 6572910
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: David Arthur Lanner, Yen-Ping Chin Hsieh, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Lee Michael Teras, Charles Edward Jones, John Russell Herring, Russell William Groves, Mark Joseph Fiteny
  • Publication number: 20020172748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to snack pieces having an improved dip containment region for providing improved dip holding containment region. More particularly, the present invention relates to snack pieces having an improved dip containment region for providing improved dip holding containment region with a separate grip region that avoids messy finger contact with the dip by a user. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to snack pieces having an improved dip holding containment region with a grip region that avoids messy finger contact with the dip that is readily communicated and discernible to the user by the shape of the snack piece and a method to make such a snack piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Martin Alfred Mishkin, Benito Alberto Romanach
  • Publication number: 20020132029
    Abstract: The present invention includes an ergonomic snack piece having improved hand held characteristics and dip containment and a method to make such a snack piece. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ergonomic snack piece that optimizes an engagement angle and hold angle of the snack piece. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a snack piece having a dip containment well and a grip region that provides improved dip-condiment retention while simultaneously providing the user areas to hold the chip and thus avoiding messy finger contact with the dip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lee Michael Teras, John Russell Herring, Charles Edward Jones, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Benito Albert Romanach, Douglas David Sena, Brian Adrian Miller
  • Publication number: 20020122852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to snack pieces having improved structural and geometric shape features that provide increased bulk density and method do make such a snack piece. More particularly, the present invention relates to snack pieces having improved structural and geometric shape features that provide increased bulk density, wherein the snack pieces are oriented in a nested arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Charles Michael Garrison
  • Patent number: 6436459
    Abstract: Snacks made from dough composition comprising starch-based material, water, and an emulsifier-lipid composition. The emulsifier-lipid composition comprises a specific blend of (1) a monoglyceride component, (2) a polyglycerol ester component, and (3) a fat component. Use of the emulsifier-lipid composition in the dough provides textural and flavor advantages in the finished snack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Maria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Jada Dawn Reed, Paul Seiden, S Michelle Brower
  • Patent number: 6395323
    Abstract: Snacks made from dough compositions comprising starch-based material, water, and an emulsifier-lipid composition. The emulsifier-lipid composition comprises a specific blend of (1) a monoglyceride component, (2) a polyglycerol ester component, and (3) a fat component. Use of the emulsifier-lipid composition in the dough provides textural and flavor advantages in the finished snack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Maria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Jada Dawn Reed, Paul Seiden, S Michelle Brower
  • Publication number: 20020034571
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Lee Michael Teras, Russell William Groves, David Arthur Lanner, Charles Edward Jones, Merrilee LaDonna Palcic, Michael Wayne Haney
  • Publication number: 20020028273
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Lee Michael Teras, John Russell Herring, Stephen Paul Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6352730
    Abstract: An improved method of adding food-additive ingredients to a food product, particularly a reduced fat fried snack product, and an ingredient suspension containing a flowable edible, preferably a nondigestible fat, and food-additive ingredients. The method consists of suspending the encapsulated or powdered ingredients in the flowable edible fat, and applying the suspension in a controlled amount to the surface of a food product. The preferred food product is a fabricated reduced fat or fat-free potato chip which is a fried snack made by frying a dough in a nondigestible fat to a moisture content of less than 5%. The ingredient suspension is applied to the surface of the fried snack soon after emerging from the fryer. The food product has a light, crispy, improved crunchy texture, improved flavor and a fat content of from about 20% to about 38% nondigestible fat, and is fortified with food-additive ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Gerald McDonald
  • Publication number: 20020022076
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: David Arthur Lanner, Yen-Ping Chin Hsieh, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Lee Michael Teras, Charles Edward Jones, John Russell Herring, Russell William Groves, Mark Joseph Fiteny
  • Publication number: 20020018837
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: David Arthur Lanner, Yen-Ping Chin Hsieh, Peter Yen-Chih Lin, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Russell William Groves, Susan Louise Joa, Lee Michael Teras, Charles Michael Garrison, Charles Edward Jones, John Russell Herring
  • Publication number: 20020018838
    Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Amy Kai Woo, Susan Louise Joa
  • Publication number: 20010038877
    Abstract: Low-fat fried snacks which have reduced waxiness, improved crispness and increased mouthmelt. The low-fat snacks are made from dough compositions comprising starch-based materials, water and a unique emulsifier-lipid composition. Use of the emulsifier-lipid composition system in the dough provides textural and flavor advantages in the finished snack, and improved rheological properties in the dough used to make the fabricated snacks. The emulsifier composition comprises a specific blend of a mono-diglyceride component or distilled monoglyceride, a polyglycerol ester component and a fat component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Maria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, Stephen Paul Zimmerman, Jada Dawn Reed, Paul Seiden, S. Michelle Brower