Preparation Of Frozen Or Shaped Product Wherein The Product Is Of Various External Colors, E.g., Variegated, Etc. Patents (Class 426/249)
  • Patent number: 6251456
    Abstract: A product with a striped coating, method for making, and an apparatus for applying a coating to a confectionery to produce a confectionary with a striped appearing coating. The striped appearing coating preferably includes more than one type of chocolate, preferably two types of chocolate. Advantageously, the striped appearing coating is formed from two layers of chocolate, a foundation chocolate layer and a striped chocolate layer, thus giving the striped appearing chocolate coating a three dimensional texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Gary P. Maul, William French
  • Patent number: 6251452
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by an extruder or pump and is combined with another food product without intermixing to form a complexly patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die (20). The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end (34) to an outlet end (36) by a factor of 4:1 to as much as 50:1 at an average convergence angle of 5 to 65° while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned food product, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson, James R. Borek, Peter A. Huberg, Thomas Jarl, Philip K. Zietlow, Bernhard van Lengerich
  • Patent number: 6251455
    Abstract: A product with a striped coating, method for making, and an apparatus for applying a coating to a confectionery to produce a confectionary with a striped appearing coating. The striped appearing coating preferably includes more than one type of chocolate, preferably two types of chocolate. Advantageously, the striped appearing coating is formed from two layers of chocolate, a foundation chocolate layer and a striped chocolate layer, thus giving the striped appearing chocolate coating a three dimensional texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Amend Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010001675
    Abstract: A decorative food formed of a plurality of kinds of fluid food materials and manufactured by using a mold is provided. The decorative food has an outside shape thereof conforming to an interior surface of the mold inclusive of an opening of said mold. The decorative food has a colored pattern divided into multiple divisions extending up to a central portion of the decorative food, in a direction to extrude the food materials into the mold, the colored pattern being formed such that the multiple divisions are arranged with substantially the same ratio at any of a cross sectional area intersecting the direction to extrude the food materials, and wherein the decorative food contains therein a foodstuff. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for manufacturing the decorative food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Tokuji Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 6231901
    Abstract: A frozen confectionery product which changes color has first and second frozen confectionery product compositions arranged for being consumed together. In an embodiment, the first composition has an acidic pH and contains a colorant component which colors the first composition and which, upon an increase in pH, changes color, and the second composition has a pH so that upon a mixing with the first composition, the pH of the first composition and colorant mixed with the second composition increases so that the colorant changes color, and each composition may contain a differing coloring component for obtaining a different coloration upon mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Tawfik Yousef Sharkasi, George Tonner, Eric Best, Shantha Chandrasekaran Nalur, Monika Gaelweiler
  • Patent number: 6210731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making edible decorations which reproduce all types of patterns, including colored patterns. The purpose of these decorations is partially or totally to cover the cakes for which they are intended and with which they form a perfectly homogeneous whole. More precisely, the invention consists in producing a printed decoration with five successive layers: a first layer of printed edible paper, and a second layer of a material for modifying the texture of the edible paper and sticking the first and third layers together. The third layer consists of a material belonging to the group comprising almond paste and chocolate. The fourth layer is equivalent to the second layer, and the fifth layer is equivalent to the first layer. By virtue of this innovation, a printed decoration does not detract from the cake and remains supple and homogeneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Genevieve Socurro Brissonneau
  • Patent number: 6207206
    Abstract: Flavored instant coffee products having a variegated appearance that contain darker colored agglomerated soluble particles containing a darker colored flavorant selected from cocoa and instant coffee agglomerated onto an edible carrier such as sugar and lighter colored agglomerated soluble particles containing a dairy or nondairy creamer and a noncoffee flavor agglomerated onto an edible carrier such as sugar, provided that when the darker colored flavorant is only cocoa, the lighter colored agglomerated particles further contain instant coffee agglomerated the edible carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Mickowski, Jeffrey Alan Sargent
  • Patent number: 6200125
    Abstract: A decorative food formed of a plurality of kinds of fluid food materials and manufactured by using a mold is provided. The decorative food has an outside shape thereof conforming to an interior surface of the mold inclusive of an opening of said mold. The decorative food has a colored pattern divided into multiple divisions extending up to a central portion of the decorative food, in a direction to extrude the food materials into the mold, the colored pattern being formed such that the multiple divisions are arranged with substantially the same ratio at any of a cross sectional area intersecting the direction to extrude the food materials, and wherein the decorative food contains therein a foodstuff. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for manufacturing the decorative food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Akutagawa Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuji Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 6194014
    Abstract: A chocolate coating having a marbled appearance, a confectionary product provided with a chocolate coating having a marbled appearance, and methods for preparing the same. The chocolate coating may be water or chocolate based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Kurt Busse, Edward Kuehl, Michaƫl Peter Gray, William French
  • Patent number: 6177110
    Abstract: A lollipop comprises a ball of hard candy and an edible stick having a first end extending into a cavity in the ball. The stick comprises pressed candy and a multiplicity of confectionary chips interspersed in the pressed candy. The stick is preferably received into a plastic sleeve to provide a lollipop assembly in which the stick is protected from direct contact while the candy ball is being eaten. In the manufacture of the lollipop, a plurality of book molds are positioned in a line and linked together for simultaneous opening and closing. A plurality of nozzles inject hot syrup into the molds. When the syrup has cooled and the sticks have been anchored therein, the molds are inverted and opened to allow the lollipops to drop out. The manufacture operation is automated and synchronized for maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Candy Novelty Works Ltd.
    Inventor: Pak Nin Chan
  • Patent number: 6171624
    Abstract: A heterogeneous edible spread having a water-in-oil composition and a varigate composition is disclosed. The water-in-oil composition and the varigate composition have humectant concentrations that result in each of the compositions having substantially the same water activity, resulting in a spread having superior appearance, taste and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Podutoori Ravinder Reddy, Thomas John Wajda, Jr., Michael Charles Cirigliano, Andreas Markus Keller
  • Patent number: 6162789
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of AFPs from natural sources, said process involving the steps ofa) isolating an AFP containing juice from the natural source;b) heat treating the natural source or the AFP containing juice to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.;c) removing the insoluble fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter John Lillford, Andrew John McArthur, Christopher Michael Sidebottom, Peter Wilding
  • Patent number: 6145433
    Abstract: Apparatus for preparing an extruded food product, particularly a multi-colored food product, includes a mixer for mixing food materials for obtaining a base material mixture which is emulsifiable and includes an emulsifying device for emulsifying the base material mixture to obtain an emulsified product, and tanks are provided for supplying different solutions, particularly differently colored food-coloring solutions, to the emulsifying device for inclusion in the emulsified product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Christophe Dupont
  • Patent number: 6143339
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus (10) for making a complexly patterned extrudate. The apparatus (10) includes a food cooker extruder (12) for providing at least one extrudable food product, at least one food color supply (18), a pattern forming die (20) for mixing the food color and extrudate food product to form a complexly patterned food product, a reducing passageway for reducing the cross sectional area of the patterned dough from an inlet end (34) to outlet end (36) of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. and an extruder exit port at the discharge end of the reducing passageway. The methods comprise the steps of: providing a plastic extrudable food mass; providing at least one color; mixing the food mass and color to form an organized complexly patterned food dough having an initial cross sectional area; reducing the initial cross sectional area by a factor of at least 50:1 with an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson
  • Patent number: 6143338
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus (10) for making a complexly patterned extrudate. The apparatus (10) includes a food cooker extruder (12) for providing at least one extrudable food product, at least one food color supply (18), a pattern forming die (20) for mixing the food color and extrudate food product to form a complexly patterned food product, a reducing passageway for reducing the cross sectional area of the patterned dough from an inlet end (34) to outlet end (36) of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. and an extruder exit port at the discharge end of the reducing passageway. The methods comprise the steps of: providing a plastic extrudable food mass; providing at least one color; mixing the food mass and color to form an organized complexly patterned food dough having an initial cross sectional area; reducing the initial cross sectional area by a factor of at least 50:1 with an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson
  • Patent number: 6110511
    Abstract: The present invention is to an edible carrier for flavor or color or flavor and color. The edible carrier contains a starch-bearing material, a balking agent and a coloring or flavoring agent. The edible carrier has a texture ranging from soft to flinty and retains the coloring or flavoring agent when added to a high moisture medium such as a dough or batter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Cereal Ingredients, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Rollins, John A. Fontana
  • Patent number: 6110514
    Abstract: A method for positioning an egg in preparation for decorative dying and painting of the egg exterior includes providing annular disk having circular inner and outer peripheries with circular cross-section beads extending circumferentially continuously around the entirety of the disk of the inner and outer disk extremities, positioning the disk lying flat on a planar surface and positioning the larger radius egg and facing substantially downward in the interior of the disk thereby permitting the egg to rest on the disk in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Paper Magic Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Linda M. Powers
  • Patent number: 6099880
    Abstract: Hard candy exhibiting a plurality of segments having differing colors and varying widths is produced by depositing a plurality of supersaturated solutions of ingredients of differing colors into a mold through a nozzle which has openings around its periphery wherein the openings have different widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Klacik, Gerald Brian Cotten, Michael S. Ferrotti, Brian C. Hallacker, Donald Mihalich
  • Patent number: 6090424
    Abstract: Flavored instant coffee products having a variegated appearance that contain darker colored agglomerated soluble particles comprising a darker colored flavorant selected from cocoa and instant coffee agglomerated onto an edible carrier such as sugar and lighter colored agglomerated soluble particles containing a dairy or nondairy creamer and a noncoffee flavor agglomerated onto an edible carrier such as sugar, provided that when the darker colored flavorant is only cocoa, the lighter colored agglomerated particles further contain instant coffee agglomerated the edible carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Mickowski, Jeffrey Alan Sargent
  • Patent number: 6083542
    Abstract: A frozen dessert such as ice cream that simulates the shape and color of french fried potatoes. The dessert is produced in elongate sections that have a small cross sectional area. Each section is coated on its exterior surfaces with an edible coating that serves to enhance the flavor of the dessert and to act as an insulating barrier. The coating permits a consumer to handle the individual sections with their fingers to enable consuming the dessert. The color of the coating simulates the color of french fried potatoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Jim Lacy
  • Patent number: 6076361
    Abstract: In order to produce a frozen, composite food product including at least two components, a continuous flow of pieces of the first component is advanced along a mixing tank in which the pieces are simultaneously tossed and a continuous flow of at least one second component is spread on the first component as it advances through the mixing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Vomm Chemipharma S.R.L.
    Inventor: Corrado Vezzani
  • Patent number: 6001402
    Abstract: A moist multi-colored food product is prepared by mixing meat and meat-by-product materials and cereal, fat and water ingredient materials to obtain a base mixture, pumping the base material mixture to an emulsifier device and supplying a coloring solution to the emulsifier device and emulsifying the base material mixture and coloring solution to obtain a colored material mixture emulsion, passing the colored emulsion to a distribution valve which is connected to a plurality of parallel piping lines connected in series to extruders to pass differing colored emulsions to the extruders for extrusion and deposit onto a conveyor for conveying through a steam oven, and to obtain the differently colored product, a first coloring solution is delivered to the emulsifier device for a time, the colored emulsion is passed to the distribution valve and to one piping line and one extruder in series and then after that time, a differently colored solution is delivered to the emulsifier device to obtain a differently colore
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Christophe Dupont
  • Patent number: 5958481
    Abstract: A method of making novelty ice cubes that change color which includes the steps of: pouring water into a first ice cube tray to form a poured first solution; freezing the poured first solution to form a frozen first solution; removing the frozen first solution from the first ice cube tray to form clear ice cubes; adding a food dye to citric acid to form a second solution; mixing the second solution to form a mixed second solution; pouring an amount of the mixed second solution into a second ice cube tray to form a poured layer; freezing the poured layer to form a frozen thin layer; wetting the frozen layer to form a wetted thin layer; placing a clear ice cube of the clear ice cubes onto each wetted layer to form a combination; pouring an additional amount of the mixed second solution onto the combination, until a layer of the mixed second solution covers the exposed portion of the clear ice cubes to form together with the frozen layer a layer encasement that completely encases the clear ice cubes and forms wi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: William S. Hodges
  • Patent number: 5919509
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder (12) having screw augers (15) in a main passageway (14) for advancing a plastic food mass, a head or manifold (18) for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams such as a branching passageway section in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head (30) having a plurality of die ports (40) for each subpassageway. Each subpassage is separately supplied an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements (59) to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports (40). In a preferred form, a portion of the food mass is bled from a first substream and fed to the exit ports (40) of a second substeam to create an extrudate including zones of distinct food mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cremers, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5888567
    Abstract: Articles of frozen confectionery which provide a spiral pattern are obtained by extruding frozen confectionery material through a plurality of nozzle member tubes which are aligned successively and which each have a shape to provide a product which has a shape which includes an arc portion and a tangent portion, the arc portion extending from the tangent portion so that the arc portion is defined thereby as two semi-circular portions of differing diameter connected by the tangent portion. Each successive tube of the plurality of aligned tubes has an interior cross-section hollow larger than the cross-section hollow of the preceding tube, and each preceding tube is fitted into the succeeding tube to deliver extrudate within the suceeding tube and additional frozen confectionery material is introduced into each successive tube to add layers to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventor: Alain Daouse
  • Patent number: 5885631
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process of manufacturing gum having various colors and patterns and more particularly, a process of manufacturing the gum product representing fantastic visual effects. In the common process of manufacturing a gum, separately prepared soft gum pieces having various colors and patterns are charged into a hopper, together with powdered sugar and then, by dispersing and rolling the gum pieces on a hard gum sheet, gum pieces are freely adhered to the gum sheet where each part has the different colors and patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lotte Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ik Boo Kwon, Young Youll Chang, Eui Sun Lee, Jang Hyuk Ahn
  • Patent number: 5843503
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder and is mixed with an additive to form a patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die. The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end to an outlet end by a factor of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of <45.degree. while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned dough, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Clanton, Julie L. Holmstrom, Peter A. Huberg, Gerald J. Rudolph, Scott A. Tolson, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5827557
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus (10) for making a complexly patterned extrudate. The apparatus (10) includes a food cooker extruder (12) for providing at least one extrudable food product, at least one food color supply (18), a pattern forming die (20) for mixing the food color and extrudate food product to form a complexly patterned food product, a reducing passageway for reducing the cross sectional area of the patterned dough from an inlet end (34) to outlet end (36) of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. and an extruder exit port at the discharge end of the reducing passageway. The methods comprise the steps of: providing a plastic extrudable food mass; providing at least one color; mixing the food mass and color to form an organized complexly patterned food dough having an initial cross sectional area; reducing the initial cross sectional area by a factor of at least 50:1 with an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson
  • Patent number: 5783239
    Abstract: Articles of frozen confectionery which effervesce upon consumption contain frozen granitas and effervescent reagents. In one embodiment, first and second frozen granitas which contain differing effervescent reagents, where the reagents, in aqueous solution, react to produce carbon dioxide, are prepared and then admixed. In another embodiment, frozen granitas are admixed with a dry mix of effervescent reagents where the reagents, in aqueous soltuion, react to produce carbon dioxide. In either embodiment, the admixture is metered into a mold and tamped to obtain an article which also may include a shell or coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ginette Callens, Philip Igor Cathenaut
  • Patent number: 5776534
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder having screw augers in a main passageway for advancing a plastic food mass, a device for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams such as a branching passageway section in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head having a plurality of die ports for each subpassageway. Each subpassageway has a separate conduit for supplying an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Christensen, Thomas G. Cremers, James L. Stinson, Philip K. Zietlow
  • Patent number: 5759603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a food product having at least one distinct phase and a process and apparatus for producing such a product wherein a blend of ingredients, having a moisture content, is extruded in separate streams, and a coloring, flavoring or texturizing agent is added to the extruded streams at a pre-determined point. The streams are re-combined and then passed through a static mixer which produces minimal mixing while allowing a smooth separation and a proper flow into a die insert such as a shaping die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Neal Sylvester Francisco, Chris Lynn Willoughby
  • Patent number: 5720175
    Abstract: A system and method for making a frozen confection having a plurality of differently flavored or colored sections are provided. After creating in a mold a frozen outer layer comprising the ingredients for a first flavor or color, a carving means, such as a heated tool or a nozzle ejecting high-pressure gas, removes a portion of the frozen outer layer in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The ingredients for a second flavor or color then are added, and the mold is subjected to freezing to form the final product. Alternatively, a tool having protrusions contacting portions of the inner surface of the mold is inserted into the mold, before or after insertion of the first ingredients, the first ingredients are frozen, the tool is removed, and the second ingredients then are added and frozen. In another embodiment, a first flavor or color is sprayed onto the inner wall of the mold in a pattern and frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventors: Neal Edwin White, Kenneth D. Margolis
  • Patent number: 5698251
    Abstract: Multicolored ice convections are a popular consumer product and are often sold in tubs. A multicolored marbled effect is obtained in an ice convection by mixing the streams of different colors in a paddle extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Claus Martin Dahms, Erhard F. Moraw, Gunther Horst Schubert
  • Patent number: 5660866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination popsicle wherein an ice layer whose surface is uneven is formed on the circumference of a core stuff, a method for making the same and a device for the method. As an ice material for forming the ice layer, irregular ice crystals in size are used which is provided by collecting uniformly dispersed fine ice crystals in a cohering process to form into lumps and by crushing the lumps. Because of this, with the irregular ice crystals, uneven form which is clear can be constantly formed on the surface of the ice, popsicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Kanebo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisahiro Tomioka, Masakazu Shimazaki, Susumu Makino, Kimitaka Takeno
  • Patent number: 5614240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for baking slices of cake, bread or other bakery products to produce a product that has the appearance of a sliced piece of cake or bread. The device includes a baking container with dimensions corresponding to a cake or bread slice. The device also includes a paper liner positionable in the baking container for receiving bread or cake batter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventor: Robert Y. Young
  • Patent number: 5582856
    Abstract: A system and method for making a frozen confection having a plurality of differently flavored or colored sections are provided. After creating in a mold a frozen outer layer comprising the ingredients for a first flavor or color, a carving means, such as a heated tool or a nozzle ejecting high-pressure gas, removes a portion of the frozen outer layer in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The ingredients for a second flavor or color then are added, and the mold is subjected to freezing to form the final product. Alternatively, a tool having protrusions contacting portions of the inner surface of the mold is inserted into the mold, before or after insertion of the first ingredients, the first ingredients are frozen, the tool is removed, and the second ingredients then are added and frozen. In another embodiment, a first flavor or color is sprayed onto the inner wall of the mold in a pattern and frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: Neal E. White, Kenneth D. Margolis
  • Patent number: 5558890
    Abstract: Disclosed are puffed multilayered R-T-E breakfast cereal pieces and methods of preparation. In preferred embodiments, the cereal pieces have at least three cereal layers. The bulk density ranges from about 0.06 to 0.15 g/cc. The methods for fabricating the present multilayered R-T-E cereal pieces comprise: A) preparing at least three separate sheets of cooked cereal dough(s), B) layering the sheets with pressure to form a laminated sheet, C) forming individual pieces from the laminated sheet, D) drying the pieces to 9% to 13% moisture, and E) high intensity microwave puffing the pieces to form R-T-E cereals with multiple layers. The high intensity microwave field is characterized by a field strength of about 150 to 350 V/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Brown, Edward C. Schwab, Terry R. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5538742
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-phase, sheeted chewing gum product, a method and an apparatus for making such a product. The product includes a first mass of a chewing gum formed in a generally flat sheet and a second mass of a confectionery product having a different color than the first mass. The second mass is smaller than the first mass and is embedded in the first mass so as to be visible with the first mass from the top surface of the chewing gum. The method includes the steps of forming the first mass into a slab with a generally flat surface. The second mass is formed into at least one piece which is brought into contact with the flat surface. The slab and the piece are pressed to produce a generally flat sheet which is cut into segments of a desired width, length and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Michael McHale, George Nichtula, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas
  • Patent number: 5538744
    Abstract: A ridged dough product is made by a method for making a ridged dough. The method includes preparing a dough and processing the dough with a means for providing ridges and valleys on the outer surface of the dough, such as a die. The ridged dough product exhibits a moisture gradient across the thickness of the dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Dianne M. Miller, Simon A. Almaer, Jeremy A. Heintz
  • Patent number: 5536517
    Abstract: This apparatus provides positive displacement synchronized metering of pressurized food material to a plurality of dies using several positive displacement metering apparatus. The metering is provided by the energy of pressurized material itself, or, for more viscous material, it can be supplemented by a motor. Supplemental material can also be introduced along with the food material to modify the characteristics of the food material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Christopher S. Hannaford
  • Patent number: 5516540
    Abstract: Articles of ice confectionery are prepared in a cavity formed by a complementary countermould and master mould assembly into which a composition for forming an ice confectionery is introduced. The assembly is cooled for freezing the confectionery composition which then is demoulded in two steps wherein the countermould is heated and removed first and the master mould is heated second for removal of the frozen article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Philip I. Cathenaut
  • Patent number: 5514397
    Abstract: A process for making dough products having alternating bands with different characteristics, such as color, flavor or composition, includes several processing steps. First, a plurality of dough masses are formed into dough sheets of an initial thickness with each dough sheet having a selected characteristic. The dough sheets are layered on top of one another into a composite sheet having outer exposed surfaces. The composite sheet is cut through its thickness into a plurality of elongated strips, and these strips are laid on their sides with the uncut surfaces of the strips, as defined by the former exposed surfaces of the composite sheet, being placed in contact with one another to form an ensemble sheet. The ensemble sheet is then compressed to reduce the ensemble sheet thickness and to Join the strips to produce a production sheet. Roll forming may be used to produce the production sheet. The uncut surfaces of the strips may be coated with a material to increase their adherence to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Holy Ravioli Pasta Company
    Inventor: Lorenzo A. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5494692
    Abstract: A multilayered food product, which has an upper component which has a density which is at least 0.2 kg/dm.sup.3 greater than a density of a lower component, is prepared by introducing a first food component into a container and within 30 seconds after introduction of the first food component applying a CO.sub.2 snow to a top surface of the first food component in the container for frosting the surface and removing residual CO.sub.2 snow from the surface and introducing a second food component into the container onto the frosted surface of the first food component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Beyer, Hans J. Jung, Manfred Wild
  • Patent number: 5447036
    Abstract: A rotary machine and method for making unit confections of complementary parts which consist of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and/or mix inclusions having paired groups of complementary molds arranged radially, adjacent to each other in or on sectors of a rotating table, in which a group of first molds radially arranged in a first sector produces physical shapes which fit within and complementarily join all or part of the physical shapes produced in a group of second molds radially arranged in a second sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Nestec, Ltd.
    Inventor: David B. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 5435143
    Abstract: A rotary machine and method for making unit confections of complementary parts which consist of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and/or mix inclusions having concentric groups of complementary molds essentially radially aligned in or on annular sections of a rotating table, in which a group of first molds in a first annular section produces physical shapes which fit within and complementarily join all or part of the physical shapes produced in a group of second molds in a second annular section that is concentric with the first annular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nestec, Ltd.
    Inventor: David B. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 5425958
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite ice cream-like edible novelties having discrete doughy additions therein. The apparatus includes a main die having an entrance and an exit disposed downstream of the entrance and at least one intermediate die positioned within the main die at a location upstream of the exit of the main die. An ice cream-like composition is introduced to the entrance of the main die in at least a semi-frozen state. A doughy addition supply system is also included such that a stream splitter divides a single doughy addition stream into equal streams, each supplying the intermediate die with the doughy addition at an elevated temperature and at equal rates. The ice cream-like composition and the discrete doughy addition are extruded together through the exit of the main die to form the composite ice cream-like edible novelty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: The Haagen-Dazs Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Fazio, Bernard W. Pajak
  • Patent number: 5417990
    Abstract: Multi-component (e.g., multi-layered) and multi-colored gelled products, such as gelatin dessert gels, are prepared using water-soluble colorants and complexing agents for the colorants which will prevent the colorant from migrating within the gelled layer. The complexing agents are polyamino acids and protein materials which fluoresce with ANS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Helena S. Soedjak, Joseph E. Spradlin
  • Patent number: 5407691
    Abstract: A method for making candy in which a high-resolution image of edible material is imprinted on another edible material, both of which are, in the preferred embodiment, chocolate. The invention includes steps of measuring heated chocolate into a mold, and allowing it to cool to a proper temperature. A screen mesh is laid over partially cooled chocolate pieces, and another chocolate, preferably of a different color than the chocolate pieces, is applied through the mesh. By using a proper combination of materials and conditions, a highly pleasing image is formed, supporting the attractiveness of the resulting candy, especially as a novelty item or souvenir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Planning Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Przelomski, Dennis R. Cowan
  • Patent number: 5378483
    Abstract: A method for forming composite ice cream-like edible novelties having discrete doughy additions therein. The method involves first providing an extrusion apparatus including a main die having an entrance and an exit disposed downstream of the entrance, and at least one intermediate die positioned within the main die at a location upstream of the exit of the main die. An ice cream-like composition is introduced to the entrance of the main die in at least a semi-frozen state, and a flowable discrete doughy addition is extruded through the intermediate die at an elevated temperature. The ice cream-like composition and the discrete doughy addition are extruded together through the exit of the main die to form the composite ice cream-like edible novelty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Paul L. Fazio, Bernard W. Pajak
  • Patent number: 5374436
    Abstract: A system and method for making a frozen confection having a plurality of differently flavored or colored sections are provided. After partially freezing in a mold the ingredients for a first flavor or color to form a frozen outer layer and a liquid inner core, the liquid inner core is vacuumed from the mold. A carving tool, such as a laser, then is inserted into the area of the mold previously occupied by the liquid inner core. The carving tool removes a portion of the frozen outer layer in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The ingredients for a second flavor or color then are inserted into the mold to fill the inner core and the areas of the outer layer removed with the carving tool. The mold then is subjected to freezing to form the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventors: Neal E. White, Kenneth D. Margolis