Forming Hollow, Tubular, Or Open-ended Cavity Patents (Class 426/514)
  • Publication number: 20090214722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer seamless tubular film as a food casing with barrier action for oxygen and/or water vapor, which is capable of absorbing and storing a food additive and releasing it to the food. It is used as an envelope of pasty or liquid materials and is particularly suitable as a synthetic sausage casing. The invention further relates to a particular liquid smoke composition which, in combination with such a tubular film, is particularly suitable for transferring the dyes and flavorings present to the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: CASETECH GMBH
    Inventors: Heinrich HENZE-WETHKAMP, Jorg OBLOTZKI, Anton KRALLMANN
  • Patent number: 7514108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pocket bread and its manufacturing method for mass production and more particularly, to a manufacturing method of the pocket bread for mass production comprising a kneading process of ingredients in an appropriate ratio, a first fermentation process of the kneaded dough, a molding process of the dough to form a pocket shape, a second fermentation process of the pocket-shape dough, and a baking process in an oven, wherein a sheet of dough is folded in half in the molding process to place the sheet of dough at the bottom and top of the molding frame in the molding process; the sheet of dough is continuously cut on either side of the molding frame with a cutting knife to provide a pocket-shape dough having the molding frame therebetween; and the obtained pocket-shape dough is fermented in a concave pen having a depth of 10-25 mm to form the desired pocket shape dough in the second fermentation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Seuk Won You
  • Patent number: 7513767
    Abstract: This invention shapes a thick slice of green or ripened plantain into an open rectangular bowl that can be filled with various edible foods such as, but not limited to, chicken, shrimp, beef, and custard, and also pushes the plantain out mold by the use of a very simple, yet efficient, mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Enrique Caboverde
  • Publication number: 20090029018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a center-filled consumable product. The apparatus and method include an extruder, which extrudes a continuous tubular rope of consumable product, a rope sizer, a relaxation conveyor, and a cutting apparatus for forming individual pieces of center-filled consumable products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLC
    Inventors: Cesar Elejalde, Bharat Jani
  • Publication number: 20090029079
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable seven layer film food casings comprising inner polyamide layer and two outer polyamide or functional group modified polyolefin layers on either side of core layers of EVOH and polyethylene, having two adhesive layers, and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aamir W. Siddiqui, Amy L. Glawe
  • Publication number: 20080193613
    Abstract: A stable, self-standing, taco shell is provided. The taco shell has a first sidewall element, a second sidewall element, a substantially flat base element of defined width, a first curved element interconnecting the first sidewall element to the flat base element; and a second curved element interconnecting the second sidewall element to the flat base element. Methods of fabrication and use are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Kovich, Anthony W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20080089985
    Abstract: For easy sanitary maintenance, stable topping of ingredients on rice, and formation of a roll in good appearance, a manufacturing apparatus of rolled sushi is provided with a roll forming sheet (S) fitted to a drive roller (12) and a back tension roller (13) rotating in forward and backward directions so as to be capable of transferring, conveying and winding the rice seasoned with vinegar (P) expanded on the roll forming sheet (S) by rotation of the rollers (12, 13), fitting grooves (20) provided at outer peripheries of the drive roller (12) and the back tension roller (13), fitting shafts (21) provided at end portions of the roll forming sheet (S) for detachably and slidingly inserting into the fitting grooves (20), and a pair of opening and closing rollers (14, 15) provided in an intermediate portion between the drive roller (12) and the back tension roller (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Suzumokikou Kabushikigaisha
    Inventors: Ikuya Oneda, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Toru Hosoda
  • Patent number: 7354614
    Abstract: A diagnostic device 1 for performing an immunochromatographic analysis of a sample is disclosed. The diagnostic device 1 comprises a porous substrate 10 for performing the analysis and a pre-filter 30 to remove solid components, such as solublised faeces or samples containing suspended organic material to prevent blocking of the porous substrate or coloured particles so that the test result is more clearly visible. The diagnostic device may include a container into which a sample may be provided, with the interior of the container being sealably connectable to the diagnostic section of the device. The porous section may be encapsulated within a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignees: Porvair Filtration Group Ltd., British Biocell International Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Quinlan, John Amey, Emma Whitworth
  • Publication number: 20080063748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for a center-filled confectionery or chewing gum product. The individual confectionery or gum pieces include a center-fill composition surrounded by a confectionery or gum region and optionally further surrounded by a coating. The center-fill composition includes a fluid carrier and saccharide particles suspended therein, which impart an enhanced cooling and/or textural perception upon consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Craig Massey, Thomas Kuncewitch
  • Patent number: 7195793
    Abstract: An automated machine and process to form a food product consisting of a batter shell and a food filling. The process is started with a cooking matrix that includes a plurality of cooking openings to receive the batter. The batter is cooked to form shells. The automated process then inserts the food filling into the shells, and packages the filled shells as end products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Darryl Adair
  • Patent number: 7131626
    Abstract: A mold having an upper end and a downwardly extending wall terminating in a lower end, and a continuous notch spanning across the wall extending upwardly from the lower end, with both an outside surface of the wall and an inside surface being of a coating which is non-stick to dough wrapped around the outside surface of the mold and to dough which is pushed downwardly through the notch from the upper end of the mold towards its lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Cole
  • Patent number: 7026002
    Abstract: The invention concerns an element for the determination of an analyte in a liquid by means of a specific binding reaction of two bioaffine binding partners containing in or on material which enables liquid transport between the zones. The element comprises a sample application zone; a detection zone located downstream thereof that is devoid of binding reagents and is the last zone on the element that allows liquid transport; a zone containing immobilized analyte or analyte analogue between the sample application zone and the detection zone; and impregnated conjugate that can be detached by liquid located in the sample application zone or upstream or downstream thereof composed of a bioaffine binding partner capable of a specific binding reaction with the analyte to be determined and a detectable label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Ada Goerlach-Graw, Reiner Schlipfenbacher
  • Patent number: 6827324
    Abstract: A baked goods baking kit for making cupcakes, in particular, having hollowed centers which can filled with filling of some sort. The baked goods baking kit includes a baking member having a main wall and also having a plurality of ornamental-shaped cup portions spacedly disposed in the main wall and being adapted to hold baking batter therein; and also includes a baking mold tool being detachably attached to the baking member for forming selected shapes in the baked goods being baked in the ornamental-shaped cup portions of the baking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Paul D. Yother
  • Patent number: 6783786
    Abstract: A food winding apparatus, system, and method of forming a rolled food item utilizing a slotted spool or cup and a push plate to eject the rolled food item from the spool. A food winding unit utilizes a motor to rotate a slotted spool. The leading end of a supported strip of food is detected by a sensor and directed into the slot of a spool. A micro-controller triggers a motor in response to the sensor signal to rotate and form a rolled food item after a predetermined number of rotations. An actuator is activated to displace an ejection plate to eject the rolled food item from the slotted spool. The winding unit can be integrated into a system including an extruder to deposit food onto support strips, a series of conveyors, and a rotary knife to cut the supported strip of food into predetermined lengths suitable for being rolled into a food item by the winding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cunningham, Michael C. Hoskins
  • Patent number: 6780452
    Abstract: A method of creating curved sausage links involves extruding an elongated sausage strand having linear protein fibers therein out of an elongated hollow meat emulsion extrusion tube. The flow of meat emulsion through the tube is partially restricted by a restrictor element within the tube which permits a portion of the meat emulsion to pass thereover in a substantially uninterrupted manner, but which requires a separate layer of meat emulsion to have its movement through the tube inhibited by engaging the restrictor element and having to move thereover to exit the tube. When the sausage strand is subjected to heat, the uninterrupted portion is inclined to have more lengthwise shrinkage in the presence of heat than the other layer, thus causing the sausage link to assume a curved configuration. The machine for practicing this method has a stuffing tube with the restrictor element therein as described heretofore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martinus W. J. T. Kuijpers, Frederik F. L. H. Ankersmit
  • Patent number: 6759079
    Abstract: The invention includes an edible confectionery product that has at least two parts. The first part is a base unit formed of a first confectionery and having a top, a bottom, and between five to twelve sides when viewed from above. The second part is a center inclusion formed of a second confectionery. The center inclusion is partially embedded in the base unit and extends above the top of the base unit. The center inclusion is set in, as viewed from the top, from any side of the base unit. The first confectionery has a different composition and preferably has a different texture than the second confectionery. In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of base units are shearably joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: David Klug, Luther Little, Brian Makela
  • Patent number: 6740348
    Abstract: Grain-rich snacks are produced by forming a pasty mixture comprising grain and a minor proportion of egg white, press-forming the pasty mixture to yield formed snacks, and contacting the formed snacks with superheated steam to set the egg white as binder of the snacks. Press-forming can be conducted by press-molding the pasty mixture in mold cavities or by extrusion to form rods or ribbons that are cut into snack-size pieces. Grains such as grits, oatmeal, pasta and rice in a pasty mixture with egg white may include other foods such as ground meat, chopped nuts, maple syrup, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Stewart Krentzman
    Inventor: Santiago A. Olavarria
  • Patent number: 6699542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing tubular films from a solution of a mixture if cellulose and proteins by extrusion blowing the solution over an air gap into a precipitation bath, and to the films produced with this method and their application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Weigel, Hans-Peter Fink, Michael Doss, Stefan Dominic Beckers, Roger Henri Hendrikx
  • Patent number: 6644955
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing chocolate shells by immersing a core into a liquid filled mold cavity. The temperature of the core member is controlled. A mold-cavity closure extends peripherally around the core member in closing engagement with the mold. The closure is axially movable in relation to the core member. The core member is immersed fully into the liquid mass and pressed in a direction against the mold cavity by a load means to build up pressure in the chocolate mass. Also disclosed is the above mentioned cavity closure which is axially movable in relation to, and connected to, the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Aastad-Mikroverk APS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Patent number: 6641386
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing chocolate shells by immersing a core into a liquid filled mold cavity. The temperature of the core member is controlled. A mold-cavity closure extends peripherally around the core member in closing engagement with the mold. The closure is axially movable in relation to the core member. The core member is immersed fully into the liquid mass and pressed in a direction against the mold cavity by a load means to build up pressure in the chocolate mass. Also disclosed is the above mentioned cavity closure which is axially movable in relation to, and connected to, the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Aasted-Mikroverk APS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Patent number: 6630183
    Abstract: A method for preparing an edible, crunchy material comprising a batter containing a small amount of protein, 8-45% moisture, 35-60% sugar and 12-63% of a nut material and wherein the batter is heated at a temperature of 100-180° C. for period of 30-42 seconds which serves as an envelope for another food material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Mars B.V.
    Inventors: Lambertus Martinus Servatius Van Dijk, Godelieve Johanna Maria Bun, Christianus Franciscus Maria Heesakkers, Nathalie Lydia Matysiak
  • Patent number: 6586031
    Abstract: The method for producing an expanded, shaped pellet products with an annular cavity includes extruding a mixture to form a tubular extrudate. This is formed by extruding dough around and through a die insert having one or more sources for injecting air, other inert gas, or liquid into an annular cavity into a portion of the tubular extrudate. After exiting the extruder, the shaped extrudate initially expands at it exits the extruder die but is then stretched so as to substantially return the extrudate to an unexpanded state. Thereafter, the stretched extrudate is cut into shaped pellets with annular cavities. Upon being further heated, for example, in a hot air puffer, the pieces are puffed to produce expanded, shaped snack products with annular cavities without the need for a dehydration and/or conditioning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph William Kelly
  • Patent number: 6582741
    Abstract: A device is particularly well suited for introducing a continuous length of food stuffing into an elongated food product. The device uses a tube having opposite, open ends and an inner wall defining a longitudinal passage extending between such opposite ends. The length of foodstuffing is received in this longitudinal passage. The tube is inserted into the food product being stuffed, and a pointed cap on the end of the tube guides it through the food product. A ram is used in conjunction with the tube to keep the foodstuffing material in substantial registration with the ends of the food product and to assist in withdrawing the tube after the foodstuffing has been deposited in the food product. An optional parallel knife assembly is used to create an incision extending through the food product to ease the subsequent insertion of the foodstuffing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: David E. Haig
  • Patent number: 6497568
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing chocolate shells by immersing a core into a liquid filled mold cavity. The temperature of the core member is controlled. A mold cavity closure with shell rim molding surfaces extends peripherally around the core member and, together with outer surfaces of the core and inner surfaces of the mold cavity, the molding surfaces determine the full geometry of the chocolate shell. The cavity closure is axially movable in relation to the core member and has unobstructed travel in relation to the core member, when the mold cavity closure is engaged with the mold. The device includes a load for pressing the core member in direction against the mold cavity to achieve pressure build up in the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Aasted-Mikroverk APS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Publication number: 20020172743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating patients with type 2 diabetes using a food composition able to control the release of glucose into the patient's blood. This is achieved by the introduction into the food composition of an additive, such as propylene glycol alginate, which reduces the cooking losses and enhances the starch cell wall membrane to thereby slow the enzymatic hydrolysis of the starch by insulin. The result is a steady state release of glucose and a net reduction in the release of blood glucose (glycemic index) relative to release of glucose observed in a diabetes patient having consumed a food composition without propylene glycol alginate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Dhyaneshwar B. Chawan
  • Patent number: 6375997
    Abstract: A process for making a tubular shaped hand held convenience snack food type product comprising the steps of formulating dough comprising potato shreds, cellulose gum and starch, extruding the dough through a multiple extrusion nozzle to form continuous ropes having two or more axial cavities which can be filled with savory fillings, optionally compressing the ropes, cutting and crimping ropes to form uncooked cut casings and then cooking and freezing. The dough has a moisture content of about 55% to about 75%, preferably about 60% to about 72%, to facilitate extrusion without impairing the potato shred material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Bestfoods
    Inventors: Shiowshuh Sheen, Marc Baggen, Joseph Panarisi, Alan J. Slesinski
  • Patent number: 6348225
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for efficiently making dry-cured meat portions whose weight, size, and shape are easily controlled during manufacturing. The method includes preparing a very thin slice of the cured meat, which is approximately double the size and less than the desired weight of the final portion. To this slice is added a make weight slice of remnants and ham fat, or other binding agent. The “make weight slices” are formed by 1) mixing the lean remnants with semi-emulsified ham fat; 2) placing the mixture into a vacuum stuffer and stuffing the mixture into a fibrous casing; 3) freezing the stuffed casings; and 4) slicing the stuffed casings to form the make weight slices of a desired weight. The make weight slices made according to this method are easy to handle and have a consistent, known weight. The method greatly simplifies the process of making the controlled-weight serving portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: SCH Aquisition Sub, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil L. Stadler, Bradley S. Stadler, Martin D. Stadler
  • Patent number: 6327968
    Abstract: A system for producing par-baked pizza crusts includes a pan formed from a unitary sheet of metal. The pan includes a number of recesses stamped into the sheet of metal, each recess being adapted to receive a corresponding dough portion. The pan also includes a ledge formed around a perimeter of the pan. The system for producing par-baked pizza crusts further includes a lid assembly formed from a unitary sheet of metal for use in conjunction with the pan. The lid assembly includes a number of lids stamped into the sheet of metal, each lid corresponding to one of the recesses of the pan. The lid assembly also includes a ledge formed around a perimeter of the lid assembly. The ledge is formed such that when the lid assembly is placed over and in contact with the pan, the ledge of the lid assembly aligns with and rests on the ledge of the pan to enclose dough portions in an enclosed gap between the lid assembly and the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Pizza Hut, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Scannell
  • Patent number: 6291001
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bowl-shaped snack food products, e.g. tortilla chips. The method features placing chip preforms in open bowl-shaped cavities and partially frying the chip preforms by filling them with hot oil from above. Additionally, the preforms are partially fried from below by immersing the lower portions of the preforms in a vat of hot oil and transporting them through the hot oil. After cooking the preforms to a desired moisture content, at which point the preforms retain their bowl shapes outside of or independent of the mold cavities, the preforms are removed from the mold cavities and subsequently cooked to completion in a secondary frying operation. The invention also features an apparatus to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Fink, James William Stalder, Kevin Matthew Trick
  • Patent number: 6254916
    Abstract: Edible wafer rolls are produced by baking an endless plastically deformable wafer strip from a flowable sugar containing wafer dough, directing the wafer strip continuously from the hot endless revolving baking surface onto a continuously rotating mandrel juxtaposed with a counter rotating winding roller, grasping the leading portion of the strip and pulling it around the mandrel toward a following wafer strip portion. The wafer is wound in helically overlapping turns to form the hollow wafer body which is cutting into wafer rolls of a predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen-Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Sen., Johann Haas, Stefan Jiraschek
  • Patent number: 6235326
    Abstract: A method of forming an edible chip by providing a sheet layer of flexible, edible material, bending the sheet layer about a fold line to define first and second sheet layer walls which abut to each other at a location spaced from the fold line, and treating the sheet layer to rigidify the sheet layer with the first and second sheet layer walls bent about the fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: American Needle
    Inventor: Robert A. Kronenberger
  • Patent number: 6210625
    Abstract: The invention is a method of making a novel spherical form of granulated products that can be effectively used in various product forms in drug, fertilizer, foodstuff, feed, agricultural chemical, catalyst, ceramics, powder metallurgy, detergent, plastic, and bio-material fields, for instance, as catalysts, lightweight materials, sound-insulating materials, microcapsules, and lightweight aggregates. To obtain a granulated product which is a spherical solid shell having a spherical space therein, a polymer having high water absorption properties is swollen by the absorption of water therein, and then brought in contact with a powder to form a powder layer all over the surface of the swollen polymer particle. This spherical particle is then dried and fired if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Matsushita, Shinpei Inamura
  • Patent number: 6165527
    Abstract: A machine for making a food product includes a cooking apparatus for cooking an aliquot of dough disposed in a predetermined shape about a cooking member made of a material which has a chemical composition essentially impervious to cooking temperatures. The machine also incorporates a mechanism for extracting the cooking member from the cooked dough, thereby creating a chamber in the cooked dough. This mechanism has a gripper which is disposable in grasping contact with a protruding end of the cooking member, a holder disposable in contact with the cooked dough for restraining the cooked dough, and a motive component operatively connected to at least one of the holder and the gripper for moving the one of the holder and the gripper relative to the other to remove the cooking member from cooked dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Peter J. Wilk, Joshua Weisberger
  • Patent number: 6153239
    Abstract: A single-use container is formed from a dough which includes a proportion by mass A of water in the range A.sub.min of about 30%, and A.sub.max about 35%; a proportion by mass B of a cereal flour blend of wheat and rye flour such that B is about 50%, and contains a proportion by mass B.sub.W of wheat flour and a proportion by mass B.sub.R of rye flour with the relationship, 1%.ltoreq.B.sub.W .ltoreq.49% and B.sub.R .apprxeq.50%-B.sub.W ; a proportion by mass C of meal from comminuted dried baked goods, with C being about 10%, and a proportion by mass D of vegetable oil such that D.apprxeq.A.sub.max -A+5%. The dough is placed into a mold and is baked in the mold, preferably under constant pressure. The resulting article is both water resistant and biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Marion Thiele
    Inventors: Marion Thiele, Wolfgang Linke
  • Patent number: 6146573
    Abstract: Disposable, thin-walled molded articles, such as cups, plates, fast-food packages, trays, flat sheets and the like are produced by applying a starch-based baking composition onto the lower mold part of a multi-part, preferably two-part mold, and by baking and conditioning the composition to a moisture content of between 6 and 22% by weight. The baking composition, in addition to water and a starch or starch mixtures and/or flour or flour mixtures and/or starch derivatives, contains a fat-free or oil-free release agent and, optionally, other typical additives. Polyvinyl alcohol is added to the baking mixture in quantities of 0.5 to 40% by weight, relative to the starch component. The polyvinyl alcohol has a degree of polymerization of over 1000, preferably over 1600 and in particular over 2000, and the proportion of water is 100 to 360% by weight, relative to the starch component. Polyvinyl alcohol can be added either in dry form or in the form of an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: E. Khashoggi Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Randal L. Shogren, John W. Lawton, Jr., Karl Tiefenbacher
  • Patent number: 6106880
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a hollow cylindrical food which is formed of a plurality of concentrically wound rectangular sheets with leading and tailing edges abutting against each other. The apparatus includes a device which shapes food paste into rectangular sheets. In addition, a conveying device is provided to transfer the rectangular sheets to a transverse bar. The transverse bar is rotatable and movable vertically from the conveying device. The bar is used to wind the sheets, successively, so that the winding of one sheets is started are the preceding sheet has been completely wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kibun Shokuhin
    Inventors: Masaru Harada, Koji Masuda, Masayuki Imai
  • Patent number: 6004602
    Abstract: A method for forming and baking food particles into a unified, shaped product, e.g., shaped like pizza, has heated top and bottom plates, the mating faces of which have recesses and protrusions for molding the desired shaped product. The bottom plate is in two parts that are abutted together when food particles are deposited thereon and during a baking period with the top plate placed thereon. After raising the top plate, the two bottom parts are moved apart to release the baked, shaped product. Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, can be formed into a pizza-like shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: SBJR Restaurants Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. D'Alterio
  • Patent number: 6001403
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing a cored food in a bar shape by molding a round outer skin material (2) in a space-saving manner provides a method whereby the outer skin material (2) and an inner material (1) are mounted in this order on a carriage conveyor (3). A belt portion comprises a number of belt pieces (31) arranged in the carriage course of the conveyor (3) so that they are foldable towards said conveyor independently from each other. Both end portions (31a) of each belt piece (31) are raised by a pair of guides (4) so as to bend the outer skin material (2) into a gutter-like shape. The outer skin material (2) bent in this way is further compressed with compression molding members (5) through the belt pieces (31). The inner material (1) surrounded with the outer skin material (2) is continuously produced and forms a cored food (F) in a bar shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kobird Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5972374
    Abstract: A new chewing gum with teeth whitener for helping whiten and brighten teeth while helping freshen the breath. The inventive device includes an elongate gum member having a central bore extending along its longitudinal axis. Extending through the central bore to substantially fill the central bore is a whitening gel which includes a whitening agent for whitening teeth while chewing the gum. The elongate gum member is divided along its length into a plurality of separable chewing portions such that each chewing portion includes portion of the gum member and a portion of the whitening gel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas Theisen
  • Patent number: 5965186
    Abstract: A method is described for forming dough product containing a filling. The method includes making projections on the surface of the dough product. The projections serve to isolate a volume of dough away from the main body of the dough product, so the moisture from the filling inside the main body of the dough product cannot readily migrate into the projections. The dough product with its projections attains a significant level of crispness upon frying, and retains the crispness upon reheating, even after a freeze/thaw cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Susan M. Hayes-Jacobson, James P. Michaels
  • Patent number: 5962055
    Abstract: Edible cups containing an edible filling are prepared by extrusion-cooking ingredients which include a cereal ingredient and extruding an extrusion-cooked product strip, passing the product strip to a heated pressing device for hot-pressing the product strip while it is still thermoplastic to form cavities in the strip which define cup structures in a row and then, incisions are made between the cup structures, a food product filling is introduced into the cup structure cavity and the strip is cut so that filled cups are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Desjardins, Roman Deutsch, Ernst Heck, Jean Horisberger
  • Patent number: 5922385
    Abstract: Soluble coffee products having a chunkier physical appearance more like that of granular roast and ground coffee products, lower apparent (bulk) densities compared to prior agglomerated spray dried instant coffee products and better solubility than prior freeze dried instant coffee products when added directly to hot water. These soluble coffee products are made by forming a relatively thin glassy coffee strip or sheet from a thermoplastic melt of soluble coffee solids, water, coffee aroma and flavor volatiles and optionally solubility enhancing components and then gradually applying vacuum conditions to this glassy strip or sheet over several cycles while heated to a pliable and deformable state such that the strip/sheet expands in a controlled manner from about 2 to about 10 times its initial thickness to provide a porous open-celled coffee matrix where the pores have a median pore size typically in the range of from about 3 to about 25 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gordon Keith Stipp, Robert Lee White
  • Patent number: 5912035
    Abstract: Elimination of the problems of a manual burrito folding operation is obtained by a high speed burrito folding machine which eliminates the need for human operators. The machine includes an endless conveyor having an entrance portion, an intermediate portion downstream of the entrance portion, and an exit portion downstream of the intermediate portion. A plurality of platform assemblies are pivotally mounted on the conveyor about a substantially vertical axis and spaced apart from one another. The swinging of a first movable platform of each platform assembly sequentially forms a first fold in each burrito. Downstream of the forming of the first fold, each burrito is sequentially revolved to a position in which the axis of the first fold is substantially transverse to the length of the conveyor. Each of a pair of spaced apart portions of the burrito are folded to form spaced apart second and third folds in the burrito which extend along fold lines which are transverse to the first fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Howden Food Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Felix R. Grat
  • Patent number: 5882711
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an elongated enveloped food product is disclosed. A rotary duct for feeding a filling is located in a ring form assembly of elongated rotary rollers for feeding a viscous casing material in a coaxial relationship so as to form the elongated product in which the casing material envelops the filling material. During the feeding of the casing material and the filling material, the rotary duct rotates within the cavity formed by the elongated rollers, while its outer surface is exposed to the viscous casing material. The duct has a scraper that rotates relative to the outer surface of the duct to scrape the viscous casing material from its outer surface to prevent the viscous casing material from sticking to the surface of the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Onoguchi, Yoshibumi Otake, Nobuo Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 5882710
    Abstract: A container, such as a bag or a pouch, is made from a fat-based confectionery material, including such as a chocolate, and is formed by crimping an end or ends of a hollowed tube of the material or crimping edges of a sheet or sheets of the material brought together. The tube or sheet which is crimped is an extrudate which is, upon being obtained from an extruder, temporarily plastically deformable and thereby has a temporary flexibility, and the crimping is carried while the material is plastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Mark Jury
  • Patent number: 5869121
    Abstract: A moisture-reduced, formulated food product which has a soft, resilient texture and which simulates the appearance of cooked meat. The food product has a fried body which is formed of layers of a thermally gelled matrix containing protein and starch. The formulated food product is particularly suitable for use as a pet food. The formulated food product may be fed to pets as a meal or as a treat. Alternatively, the formulated food product may be combined with dried pellets to provide a nutritionally balanced meal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Brescia, Dan Dixon
  • Patent number: 5866174
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a hollow cylindrical food which is formed of a plurality of concentrically wound rectangular sheets with leading and tailing edges abutting against each other. The apparatus includes a device which shapes food paste into rectangular sheets. In addition, a conveying device is provided to transfer the rectangular sheets to a transverse bar. The transverse bar is rotatable and movable vertically from the conveying device. The bar is used to wind the sheets, successively, so that the winding of one sheets is started are the preceding sheet has been completely wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kibun Shokuhin
    Inventors: Masaru Harada, Koji Masuda, Masayuki Imai
  • Patent number: 5843512
    Abstract: A confectionery article is prepared which has a shell of chocolate wherein chocolate having a temperature greater than 35.degree. C. is poured into an aluminum alloy lost-wax-cast-mold having a temperature of not above -10.degree. C. to form a shell, and a remainder portion of the chocolate which is sufficiently liquid for being sucked from the shell is vacuum-suctioned from the shell to obtain a shell having a hollowed space. The process is carried out in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of less than 60%, and the process further includes depositing a frozen confection into the shell hollow space, and also, a biscuit, particularly one coated by a fatty composition, may be deposited within the shell with the frozen confection and also subsequently enrobed to provide a base integral with the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Daouse, Christian Mange
  • Patent number: 5840354
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened fruit compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate. The fruit compositions comprise: A) about 5 to 65% by weight of fruit solids; B) about 0.1 to 85% of carbohydrates; C) about 180 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 .mu.m, forming a wet blend of fruit ingredients, drying the wet blend to 9 to 20% moisture and admixing the dried fruit composition while warm with the slurry to form a dried sweetened calcium composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny P. Baumann, Richard O. Benham, Laurie C. Burgess, Daniel L. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5820912
    Abstract: A fat-containing confectionery material is passed through an extruder and to and through a flow-constriction die to obtain an extrudate from the die so that the material passed through the extruder and die and so that the extrudate from the die are at a temperature so that the material and extrudate are in a non-pourable state and so that the material passed to the die plastically deforms, and the material is passed by pins positioned in the die so that the extrudate obtained from the die has passages which extend transversely to an extrudate cross-section to obtain a product structure having the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas Beckett, Mark Julians Bagby Jury, Malcolm Robert Mackley