Patents by Inventor Steven J. Cox

Steven J. Cox 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: 20230329247
    Abstract: Frozen un-proofed dough pieces are produced by cutting a dough sheet into strips and producing a score through an upper skin of each strip with at least one blunt deformation tool prior to freezing. The un-proofed dough pieces are formed by mass production, with an un-proofed dough sheet being cut to form dough strips which are then cut into the un-proofed dough pieces, with the score for each un-proofed dough piece being formed by pressing the upper skin of the dough down into the body of the dough, thereby deforming and pre-stressing the dough to create weak zones, either before, during or after the individual un-proofed dough pieces are actually created, but before freezing. Upon heating, openings are established in the upper skin along score lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, Kara M. Hobart, Todd A. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20220394982
    Abstract: A bread product is produced by forming a dough piece, creating at least one score in the dough piece, applying an adhesive to the dough piece with the adhesive extending across the score, freezing the dough piece to produce a frozen dough piece, and baking the dough piece, causing the adhesive to melt while establishing a bread product having, in a central region of the bread product, what was once a score held together by the adhesive during the early stages of baking, an internal exposed region. The outlined production steps can be re-arranged, so long as the scoring and adhesive application is performed prior to thawing of the dough piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, David J. Domingues, Roger G. Fuentes, Paul Henderson, Kara M. Hobart, Olivia Murch, Vani Vemulapalli
  • Publication number: 20220104505
    Abstract: A frozen topologically modified dough product is produced by creating topological features in a dough piece having a main body portion including an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the topological features is at least one of undulations in the upper surface created through formation of a series of crest and trough regions and a series of tunnels created in the main body portion of the dough piece, and then freezing the dough piece to produce a frozen dough piece. When cooked, particularly through a convection baking operation, the topological features increase the surface area for convection heat transfer during the baking operation, resulting in a significantly reduced overall bake time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J Cox, David J Domingues, Michael Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220104506
    Abstract: A frozen, ready-to-bake dough product has an expanded dough core and an un-proofed dough veneer. The dough core is proofed before being enveloped by the outer dough veneer to form a dual density dough product having an inner, lower density body portion and an outer, higher density body portion, with the outer body portion constituting more than half of the overall body mass. The dual density dough product is frozen into a ready-to-bake dough product. Upon baking directly from the frozen state, a surface area of the dough product expands less than 60% while a volume of the dough product basically doubles due to expansion of the dough veneer, with the dough veneer establishing a crust for a light and airy inner bread body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, David J. Domingues, Craig A. Dowd, James Fudge, Kara M. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20210368836
    Abstract: A dry food mix described includes a powder mix and particulates. A powder mix contains at least 70% by weight sugars, and includes 40-70% by weight crystalline sucrose, 25-50% by weight crystalline glucose, and a releasing agent. A method described includes making a food by heating, then cooling, a dry food mix to produce the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, David J. Domingues, Karin C. Gaertner, Nicole Madden
  • Publication number: 20210244041
    Abstract: Baking ingredients that can be used as a fat replacement in dough compositions and baked goods are described. Baking ingredients include a thermo-reversible hydrocolloid and can be included in a dough composition or layered with a laminated dough. The baking ingredients lead to improved flavor, improved appearance, improved texture, and improved lubricity in reduced fat bakery products. Methods of making and using baking ingredients are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi L Bahe, Steven J Cox
  • Publication number: 20210235709
    Abstract: Scored dough pieces are produced by forming a dough piece, freezing the dough piece to produce a frozen dough piece and scoring the frozen dough piece to produce a scored dough piece having at least one score. The frozen dough piece can be scored with a saw blade, water knife or laser. In addition, a coating or treatment can be applied to the at least one score of the scored dough piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, Kara M. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20200260743
    Abstract: A dough- or batter-based food product is prepared by mixing dough or batter ingredients to establish a dough or batter composition, the dough ingredients including at least flour, water and salt. The salt particles have dissolution rate of at least 120 seconds. Batter or dough provided herein, and cooked foods made from the batter or dough, include pockets of salt at a higher concentration than the dough, batter, or cooked food overall. Batter- or dough-based food products provided have a saltiness perception level substantially the same as compared to batter- or dough-based food products that include table salt in an amount at least 40% greater than the provided batter- or dough-based food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi L. Bahe, Steven J. Cox, Jeremy B. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190246652
    Abstract: A pressurized dough system includes a package defining an interior volume and a refrigerated developed dough product within the interior volume. The refrigerated developed dough product includes flour, water and pectin in an amount sufficient to substantially increase the internal pressure of the pressurized package as well as the bake specific volume of the dough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi L. Bahe, Steven J. Cox
  • Publication number: 20190098906
    Abstract: A dough- or batter-based food product is prepared by mixing dough or batter ingredients to establish a dough or batter composition, the dough ingredients including at least flour, water and salt. The salt particles have dissolution rate of at least 120 seconds. Batter or dough provided herein, and cooked foods made from the batter or dough, include pockets of salt at a higher concentration than the dough, batter, or cooked food overall. Batter- or dough-based food products provided have a saltiness perception level substantially the same as compared to batter- or dough-based food products that include table salt in an amount at least 40% greater than the provided batter- or dough-based food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi L Bahe, Steven J Cox, Jeremy B Thomspon
  • Patent number: 8652557
    Abstract: Whole grain baked products and mixes having milled whole grain durum wheat are provided. Whole grain durum baked products and mixes utilize milled whole grain durum flour having a generally white-like color wherein durum particulate matter is visually indistinguishable from durum fines by the unassisted eye. Through the use of milled whole grain durum flour, white-like whole grain durum products including white-like whole grain durum breads can be prepared that satisfy generally accepted color and baking performance characteristics for traditional white breads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Mingus, Steven J. Cox, Robert T. Westercamp, Dennis L. Schlueter
  • Patent number: 8372466
    Abstract: A recombined whole grain flour for use in preparing whole grain products such that whole grain particulates provide minimal visual impact to the whole grain product. By selectively controlling the particle size of the milled bran and germ constituents used in the recombined whole grain flour, the visual and color impact associated with bran and germ particulates can be substantially eliminated from the whole grain product. In particular, whole grain products such as whole grain breads, dough products, mixes and biscuits can be made with recombined whole grain flour. Whole grain products made with recombined whole grain flour are advantageous in that they incorporate the health advantages associated with whole grains while eliminating the characteristic, visual color differences noticeable within a whole grain crumb due to visually identifiable bran and germ particulates found in traditional whole grain products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Mingus, Robert T. Westercamp, Steven J. Cox, Dennis L. Schlueter, Sarah Woodling
  • Patent number: 8361532
    Abstract: A recombined whole grain flour for use in preparing whole grain products such that whole grain particulates provide minimal visual impact to the whole grain product. By selectively controlling the particle size of the milled bran and germ constituents used in the recombined whole grain flour, the visual and color impact associated with bran and germ particulates can be substantially eliminated from the whole grain product. In particular, whole grain products such as whole grain breads, dough products, mixes and biscuits can be made with recombined whole grain flour. Whole grain products made with recombined whole grain flour are advantageous in that they incorporate the health advantages associated with whole grains while eliminating the characteristic, visual color differences noticeable within a whole grain crumb due to visually identifiable bran and germ particulates found in traditional whole grain products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingus J. David, Robert T. Westercamp, Steven J. Cox, Dennis L. Schlueter, Sarah Woodling
  • Publication number: 20120040070
    Abstract: Whole grain baked products and mixes having milled whole grain durum wheat are provided. Whole grain durum baked products and mixes utilize milled whole grain durum flour having a generally white-like color wherein durum particulate matter is visually indistinguishable from durum fines by the unassisted eye. Through the use of milled whole grain durum flour, white-like whole grain durum products including white-like whole grain durum breads can be prepared that satisfy generally accepted color and baking performance characteristics for traditional white breads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Mingus, Steven J. Cox, Robert T. Westercamp, Dennis L. Schlueter
  • Patent number: 8057833
    Abstract: Whole grain baked products and mixes having milled whole grain durum wheat are provided. Whole grain durum baked products and mixes utilize milled whole grain durum flour having a generally white-like color wherein durum particulate matter is visually indistinguishable from durum fines by the unassisted eye. Through the use of milled whole grain durum flour, white-like whole grain durum products including white-like whole grain durum breads can be prepared that satisfy generally accepted color and baking performance characteristics for traditional white breads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingus J. David, Steven J. Cox, Robert T. Westercamp, Dennis L. Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20100323088
    Abstract: A recombined whole grain flour for use in preparing whole grain products such that whole grain particulates provide minimal visual impact to the whole grain product. By selectively controlling the particle size of the milled bran and germ constituents used in the recombined whole grain flour, the visual and color impact associated with bran and germ particulates can be substantially eliminated from the whole grain product. In particular, whole grain products such as whole grain breads, dough products, mixes and biscuits can be made with recombined whole grain flour. Whole grain products made with recombined whole grain flour are advantageous in that they incorporate the health advantages associated with whole grains while eliminating the characteristic, visual color differences noticeable within a whole grain crumb due to visually identifiable bran and germ particulates found in traditional whole grain products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Mingus J. David, Robert T. Westercamp, Steven J. Cox, Dennis L. Schlueter, Sarah Woodling
  • Publication number: 20100310748
    Abstract: A recombined whole grain flour for use in preparing whole grain products such that whole grain particulates provide minimal visual impact to the whole grain product. By selectively controlling the particle size of the milled bran and germ constituents used in the recombined whole grain flour, the visual and color impact associated with bran and germ particulates can be substantially eliminated from the whole grain product. In particular, whole grain products such as whole grain breads, dough products, mixes and biscuits can be made with recombined whole grain flour. Whole grain products made with recombined whole grain flour are advantageous in that they incorporate the health advantages associated with whole grains while eliminating the characteristic, visual color differences noticeable within a whole grain crumb due to visually identifiable bran and germ particulates found in traditional whole grain products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Mingus J. David, Robert T. Westercamp, Steven J. Cox, Dennis L. Schlueter, Sarah Woodling
  • Publication number: 20040241659
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hybridization providing a chamber for hybridization and SPR detection. The hybridization chamber can have an inlet port and an outlet port. The chamber is adapted for SPR detection by a grating or by prism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: APPLERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Cox, Janusz B. Wojtowicz, Douwe D. Haga, Mark F. Oldham, Michael W. Recknor, Gary P. Schroth, Tracy L. Ferea
  • Publication number: 20040241660
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hybridization providing a hybridization chamber. The hybridization chamber has a hybridization frame and detection frame. The hybridization chamber can be contained in housing that is releasably mated to enclose the hybridization chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: APPLERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Janusz B. Wojtowicz, Douwe D. Haga, Mark F. Oldham, Steven J. Cox, Michael W. Recknor, Gary P. Schroth, Tracy L. Ferea
  • Patent number: 5277103
    Abstract: A personal coffee brewing device for brewing individual servings of coffee, the device including an open frame for holding a porous coffee-containing pouch. The frame is sized to fit within a standard coffee cup so that the frame can be stirred within the coffee cup to force hot water through a pouch held in the frame to brew a cup of coffee. The device also includes a handle extending from the frame, the handle having at least one chamber for containing condiments such as sweetener or artificial creamer. A closure at the end of the handle closes the chamber. The handle is preferably formed in two sections, with a removable condiment dispenser at the end of the handle, containing two chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Melange International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Cox