Patents by Inventor Steven C. Robie

Steven C. Robie 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: 11793214
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C Robie, Kevin H Wright, Joel R Lafavor, Caleb Ian Heck
  • Patent number: 11737479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I Heck, Steven C Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Publication number: 20210127708
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor
  • Patent number: 10918117
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C Robie, Kevin H Wright, Joel R Lafavor
  • Publication number: 20200375228
    Abstract: A gluten-free pasta product that survives retort may be formed by preparing a dough mixture with gluten-free flour and water. The dough can be extruded at a temperature and with an amount of mechanical energy effective to form an extruded pasta product having a bi-continuous matrix of protein and starch. The extruded pasta product can be incorporated into a closed retort container and subsequently retorted. The resulting retorted food product may contain gluten-free pasta that has the structural integrity and textual firmness consistent with that exhibited by traditional wheat pasta after having undergone retort despite the absence of binding gluten molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Diana Lee Kittleson, Christine S.t. Ng, Steven C. Robie
  • Patent number: 10798950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20200288748
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb I Heck, Steven C Robie, Goeran Walther
  • Publication number: 20200196630
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein products and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, an extruded piece is disclosed having a high protein content and having a desirable texture and flavor. Methods for making an extruded piece include processing, under extrusion conditions, a combination of a powdered protein ingredient, a protein matrix disruptive ingredient, water, and an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Steven C. Robie, Kevin H. Wright, Joel R. Lafavor
  • Patent number: 10575531
    Abstract: Visually distinct, flaked Ready-to-Eat cereal products with varied texture and thickness are produced by forming a cereal dough and forcing the same through an extrusion die assembly including various spaced openings which establish a plurality of dough streams which are merged prior to reaching a die outlet. Directly at the die outlet, a resulting dough extrudate is sliced by a cutter unit to form dough discs which are then dried and cooled, during which the discs curl and form cereal flakes having varying textures defined, at least in part, by distinct sets of surface bumps. The number and configuration of the bumps can be altered by changing the number, shape and/or position of the various spaced openings of the die assembly, while the thickness of the resulting cereal flakes can be varied by just altering an operational speed of the cutter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Barmack Rassi, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20190387774
    Abstract: A gluten-free pasta product that survives retort may be formed by preparing a dough mixture with gluten-free flour and water. The dough can be extruded at a temperature and with an amount of mechanical energy effective to form an extruded pasta product having a bi-continuous matrix of protein and starch. The extruded pasta product can be incorporated into a closed retort container and subsequently retorted. The resulting retorted food product may contain gluten-free pasta that has the structural integrity and textual firmness consistent with that exhibited by traditional wheat pasta after having undergone retort despite the absence of binding gluten molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Diana Lee Kittleson, Christine S.t. Ng, Steven C. Robie
  • Publication number: 20190289877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10321702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H van Lengerich, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10149492
    Abstract: The invention generally provides novel no-bake grain products and methods of preparation of the same. Specifically, a no-bake food product with a toasted appearance and flavor and a method of providing a toasted appearance and flavor to a no-bake food product. The no-bake food product includes granola bars, clusters, cereal, instant hot cereal and snacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Linn Johnson, Steven C Robie, Philip K Zietlow
  • Publication number: 20180192655
    Abstract: Visually distinct, flaked Ready-to-Eat (“R-T-E”) cereal products with varied texture and thickness are produced by forming a cereal dough and forcing the same through an extrusion die assembly including various spaced openings which establish a plurality of dough streams which are merged prior to reaching a die outlet. Directly at the die outlet, a resulting dough extrudate is sliced by a cutter unit to form dough discs which are then dried and cooled, during which the discs curl and form cereal flakes having varying textures defined, at least in part, by distinct sets of surface bumps. The number and configuration of the bumps can be altered by changing the number, shape and/or position of the various spaced openings of the die assembly, while the thickesses of the resulting cereal flakes can be varied by just altering an operational speed of the cutter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Barmack Rassi, Steven C. Robie, James N. Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20180098557
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Goeran Walther, Bernhard H. van Lengerich, Steven C. Robie, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9924724
    Abstract: Visually distinct, flaked Ready-to-Eat (“R-T-E”) cereal products with varied texture and thickness are produced by forming a cereal dough and forcing the same through an extrusion die assembly including various spaced openings which establish a plurality of dough streams which are merged prior to reaching a die outlet. Directly at the die outlet, a resulting dough extrudate is sliced by a cutter unit to form dough discs which are then dried and cooled, during which the discs curl and form cereal flakes having varying textures defined, at least in part, by distinct sets of surface bumps. The number and configuration of the bumps can be altered by changing the number, shape and/or position of the various spaced openings of the die assembly, while the thicknesses of the resulting cereal flakes can be varied by just altering an operational speed of the cutter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Barmack Rassi, Steven C Robie, James N Weinstein
  • Patent number: D834780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan L Kamper, Patrick E Allen, Timothy O Hansen, Steven C Robie
  • Patent number: D838930
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan L. Kamper, Patrick E Allen, Timothy O Hansen, Steven C Robie
  • Patent number: D843682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan L Kamper, Patrick E Allen, Timothy O Hansen, Steven C Robie
  • Patent number: D859782
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E Allen, Darryl J Ballman, Benjamin Lee Heitke, Thomas M Jarl, Aimee Mortenson, Steven C Robie