Confection Patents (Class 426/660)
  • 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: 6194018
    Abstract: A method of producing a hollow body of chocolate material having at least one first chamber and at least one second chamber separated by a common partition wall, including filling a dosed amount of chocolate material into a first mould component of a hollow mould which includes the first mould component and at least one second mould component, sealing the first mould component with a cover and spinning the first mould component until a hollow subbody having the at least one first chamber and a wall defined along the cover is formed in the first mould component, removing the cover, and spinning the at least one second mould component placed on top of the wall filled with a dosed amount of the chocolate material until a second hollow subbody with the at least one second chamber and the common partition wall has formed on the first hollow subbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignees: Innogram AG, Futurplan AG, Willie Vaduz
    Inventor: Willi Krauss
  • Patent number: 6183799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a laminated edible product such as a candy product. This method includes the steps of extruding from the exit port of a coaxial die a thin strip of a first fluid material encased in a layer of a second fluid material, depositing the thin strip on a support, and superimposing additional thin strip on top of the first thin strip. The invention also relates to an edible product prepared by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: William Wu, Henry Archibald
  • Patent number: 6180158
    Abstract: A continuous method for preparing an aerated confection, especially marshmallows, includes the steps of A. continuously forming a clear concentrated sugar syrup in a single vessel by continuously admixing to form a sugar syrup slurry; cooking the sugar syrup slurry with agitation and indirect heat to dissolve the solids, concentrating the sugar syrup by evaporating water as vapor and venting the vapor to form a concentrated clear syrup, wherein the residence time of the syrup within the vessel ranges from about 1 to 5 minutes; B. cooling the clear concentrated syrup without crystallization to form a cooled clear sugar syrup; C. admixing the clear cooled sugar syrup with about 1 to 30% of a foam structuring agent to form a liquid confection blend; D. seeding the liquid confection blend with dry sugar crystals to form a seeded liquid confection blend; E. aerating the seeded liquid confection blend to form an aerated confection plastic foam; F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip K. Zietlow, Bernhard van Lengerich, James L. Stinson, Gerald L. Wilson, Mathew F. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 6180152
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing compression-molded candy comprising the steps of mixing and dissolving conventional candy mixture at a temperature of 100 to 120° C., concentrating the candy mixture to a water content of below 2.0% under the conditions of a temperature of 130 to 160° C., steam pressure of 4.0 to 9.5 kgf/cm3, and vacuum pressure of 100 to 700 mmHg, adding the conventional additives thereto, maintaining the candy mixture at a temperature of below 80° C., and molding the candy mixture by pressure packing at a pressure of 10 to 50 kgf/cm3 within 5 to 30 seconds. By lowering the ratio of water content to below 2% and pressure packing the mixture at high pressure and low temperatures, it is possible to manufacture candies of various distinct shapes stable despite changes in the outer environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Jeong Woo Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Hong Yoon
  • Patent number: 6177064
    Abstract: The present invention anti-cariogenic activity of erythritol. The invention further discloses the use of erythritol in food preparations as an at least partial replacer of sugar or other cariogenic sweetening agent. Erythritol is used in combination with normally employed sweetening agents and the favourable characteristics of the erythritol are preserved while the amount of erythritol used is much less than what would be needed to replace the sugar completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Cerestar Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Marie-Pierre Ghislain de Troostembergh, Jozef Frans Victor Goossens
  • Patent number: 6174555
    Abstract: A water-containing chocolate composition, which is particularly suitable for being combined with an ice confectionery composition as a coating upon or as an inclusion in the ice confectionery composition to provide a composite composition, is an admixture of chocolate and of a water-in-oil emulsion which includes a vegetable oil and milk fat. By weight based upon the composition weight, the water is present in an amount of from 10% to 30%, fat substances are present in an amount of from 35% to 45% and carbohydrates are present in an amount of from 30% to 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Leas, Junkuan Wang
  • Patent number: 6168820
    Abstract: A process for controlling the softness of a food product which tends to lose water and become progressively harder during storage which comprises adding an immobilized edible plasticizer to the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Garwood, Zenon Ioannis Mandralis, Keith Roberts
  • Patent number: 6165540
    Abstract: A chocolate composition and water are combined by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion and adding a molten chocolate composition to and mixing it with emulsion so that upon mixing, destruction of the emulsion substantially is avoided and so that the emulsion and chocolate composition are mixed to obtain a chocolate mass in which the water of the emulsion has a form of droplets distributed in a fatty phase of the chocolate mass to obtain a water-droplet-containing chocolate mass product and in which the water may be in an amount of up to 40% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Helmut Traitler, Erich J. Windhab, Bettina Wolf
  • Patent number: 6165531
    Abstract: This invention provides improved methods for producing molded chocolate products, fat-based confection products, particularly using substrates such as molds which have a low surface energy contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: William Harding, Neil A. Willcocks, Christopher Abbott, Thomas M. Collins, Tracey D. B. Ziener
  • Patent number: 6159520
    Abstract: A method and a system for producing articles of fat-containing, chocolate mass in a continuous production-plant having a conveyor for mould elements with mould cavities. The production-plant comprises steps of initially filling mould cavities with liquid mass, cooling of the articles, and releasing the articles from the mould cavities. The number of mould elements per unit time leaving the cooling step is regulated to deviate from the number of mould elements per unit time entering the cooling step. The resulting advantage is that it is possible to regulate the residence time for a certain mould element in a cooling step without changing the residence time in the steps prior to the cooling step. A manufacturer of chocolate articles is thereby provided an easy way of adapting the cooling time to the specific article being produced without influencing other steps of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Aasted-Mikroverk ApS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Patent number: 6156880
    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 5, 2000
    Assignee: Good Humor-Breyer's Ice Cream, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter John Lillford, Andrew John McArthur, Christopher Michael Sidebottom, Peter Wilding
  • Patent number: 6156371
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of cocoa nibs coated with caramelized crystalline sugar, in which a mixture containing at least cocoa nibs pieces, sugar, and water and/or milk is prepared, the mixture being treated at a high temperature so as to obtain caramelized cocoa nibs, which are then tempered and heat treated. Also, the caramelized cocoa nibs obtainable by this process and their use in food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Vareille, Faycal Idriss
  • Patent number: 6146681
    Abstract: The present invention provides a porous baked food material having excellent taste and texture. According to the method for the production of the food material, a baked porous food, such as a baked cake is combined with a fat based confectionery such as chocolate. The baked porous food is embedded in a fat based confectionery in its molten liquid state, degassed under a reduced pressure and subsequently returned to ambient pressure. Impregnation of the aerated food material with the fat based confectionery is thereby accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukata Kuwano, Eiji Okaya, Mitsunori Takahara
  • Patent number: 6143345
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a chocolate composition. The composition is characterised in that the normal sugar is replaced with a mixture of sugar alcohols. The mixture contains erythritol and maltitol in such a ratio that the cooling effect of erythritol is considerably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Cerestar Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Michel Henri Andre Gonze, Freddy Maurits Luc Van Der Schueren
  • Patent number: 6143350
    Abstract: A processs for the preparation of a reduced fat milk chocolate which comprises preparing a powdered premix of substantially all the non-fat ingredients, adding up to 96% of the fat containing ingredients to the powdered premix and mixing to give a mass containing from 18 to 24% by weight fat based on the total weight of the mass, refining the mass on refining rollers to give a particle size of from 25 to 35 microns, adding the remainder of the fat containing ingredients and lecithin, conching, tempering to give a reduced fat milk chocolate containing less than 27% by weight of fat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Karin Dubberke
  • Patent number: 6136350
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing indicia on confectionery products such as chewing gum. A mass of confectionery product is formed into a thin, flat sheet. The sheet may be divided into individual sheets for cooling. Next, the sheet or sheets of confectionery are passed through the printing machine to print indicia thereon. Printed confectionery products and packages thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, S. Kristine O'Konski, Donald C. Hassler, Jeffery C. Mormann, Nicholas Partipilo, Rocco A. Pawlowski, Ralph R. Burin
  • Patent number: 6117478
    Abstract: A low fat agglomerated chocolate having an average particle size up to 5 mm and containing from 18 to 24% by weight fat based on the total weight of the chocolate and a reduced fat milk chocolate bar comprising a mixture of from 60 to 90% of a reduced fat chocolate containing less than 27% fat and from 40 to 10% of a reduced fat agglomerated chocolate having an average particle size up to 5 mm and containing from 18 to 24% by weight fat based on the total weight of the chocolate. The products have a unique crunchy texture, melt easily and have a smooth texture in the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Karin Dubberke
  • Patent number: 6110515
    Abstract: A substantially transparent layer of cocoa butter or equivalent thereof on a confection, surrounded by an aqueous medium, prevents color bleeding from the confection into the aqueous medium and inhibits deterioration of the confection caused by the aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Olivier M. Clechet, Michel Flambeau, Laurie Winward
  • Patent number: 6103292
    Abstract: Compositions containing structured triglycerides of genetically engineered annuals and food products containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Del Vecchio
  • 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: 6099883
    Abstract: The present invention provides essentially non-dairy food compositions containing at least one monosaccharide in an amount sufficient to increase the osmotic pressure of the composition, and at least one bacteriocidal enzyme. The invention also provides methods of making such compositions. The food compositions preferably contain chocolate. The combination of at least one monosaccharide and at least one bacteriocidal enzyme inhibits increases in bacterial population numbers for at least 28 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Compagnie Gervais Danone
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Colomban, Benoit Furhmann, Xavier Modamio
  • Patent number: 6096867
    Abstract: Plant anti freeze proteins can advantageously be incorporated into frozen confectionery products, provided they have the capability of limiting the growth of ice crystals
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Louise Jane Byass, Donald Frank Darling, Charlotte Juliette Doucet, Richard Anthony Fenn, Peter John Lillford, Andrew John McArthur, David Needham, Christopher Sidebottom, Keith Smallwood, Margaret Felicia Smallwood
  • Patent number: 6090402
    Abstract: The invention relates to edible oral cleansing and sanitizing compositions and the use of these compositions for reducing plaque and calculus deposition in the mouth and improving oral cleanliness and tooth smoothness. The active ingredients include surfactants, sequestrants, and protein precipitants; each present in a specified concentration range. In a preferred embodiment, the hard candies comprise between about 0.01 and 20% surfactant, especially a glyceride or alkyl sulfate, 0.01 and 10% sequestrant, especially citric acid, and 0.01% and 10% protein precipitant, especially tannic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Sterling Chaykin
  • Patent number: 6090430
    Abstract: There are provided a method of producing a pressurized gas-entrapping candy and a pressurized gas-entrapping apparatus to be used for the method. According to the method, the pressurized gas-entrapping candy is produced by preparing a hard candy with a conventional method, crushing the hard candy and sieving to obtain candy particles, attaching a pipe with fine holes in its peripheral wall to a cylindrical vessel through an opening formed in a lid of the cylindrical vessel, filling the candy particles in a space between the cylindrical vessel and the pipe, loading the cylindrical vessel in a long and cylindrical pressure-resistant vessel, feeding heating steam and then cooling water to a jacket portion of the pressure-resistant vessel, while maintaining pressurized state in the pressure-resistant vessel, to carry out heating and cooling treatments of the candy particles in the cylindrical vessel, and then releasing the pressurized state of the pressure-resistant vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Mochizuki, Mitsuo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6083527
    Abstract: A candy-like confection which contains a natural sweetener is provided. The confection preferably includes XYLITOL as the natural sweetener and calcium hydroxide which increases the pH level of the saliva in the mouth to reduced the presence of bacteria in the mouth. As a result, resultant tooth decay and associated bad breath are prevented. Vitamins may be added to the confection to enable the simultaneous delivery of vitamins, prevention of tooth decay prevention and bad breath while enjoying a candy-like confection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Thistle
  • Patent number: 6074684
    Abstract: A process of making nut brittle such as peanut brittle is disclosed. The process includes a step of combining sugar, corn syrup, and water to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated to a first syrup temperature of about 275.degree. F. Butter is added to the first mixture to form a second mixture. The second mixture is heated to a second syrup temperature between 285 and 300.degree. F. The second syrup temperature is indicated by a color change from an off-white color to a straw color. A soda mixture of baking soda, water, and vanilla is added to the second mixture with nuts and nut butter, forming a final mixture. Preferably the nuts are Virginia peanuts and the nut butter is peanut butter. The final mixture is sheeted to form a ribbon. The ribbon is cooled rapidly to a temperature between 35 and 550.degree. F., then allowed to rewarm to room temperature and broken in pieces. The nut brittle has a delicious nutty flavor. The texture is softer and easier on the teeth than conventional nut brittles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Stefanie T. Shelesky, Lori S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6071500
    Abstract: A candy-like sprayable liquid confection which contains a natural sweetener is provided. The spray confection preferably includes XYLITOL as the natural sweetener and calcium hydroxide which raises the pH level of the saliva in the mouth to reduced the presence of bacteria in the mouth. As a result, resultant tooth decay and associated bad breath are prevented. Vitamins may be added to the sprayable liquid confection to enable the simultaneous delivery of vitamins, prevention of tooth decay prevention and bad breath while enjoying a candy-like spray confection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Robert H. Thistle
  • Patent number: 6063432
    Abstract: Health bars are provided having high dosages of at least one of the amino acids L-arginine and L-lysine in conjunction with fruit solids and paste, protein and carbohydrates. A number of different fruit sources may be used, grapes finding particular use, and soy being a useful source of proteins. The bars are made by preparing a syrup at an elevated temperature, adding a fruit paste and cooling, followed by the addition of minor ingredients and mixing, the amino acids and a portion of the protein and mixing, followed by the remaining ingredients and formation as a bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cooke Pharma
    Inventors: Andrew J. Maxwell, John P. Cooke, Thomas Martin Radke
  • Patent number: 6063408
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing a chocolate having improved stability, and which is effective for preventing blooming, particularly fat blooming, the process involving kneading a chocolate starting material with a transglutaminase to effect reaction of the transglutaminase with the starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Yamazaki, Takahiko Soeda
  • Patent number: 6060094
    Abstract: A method for reducing the fat content in a fat-based confectionery coating material having a sufficient viscosity, when liquified, to permit the application and retention of the coating material upon an underlying confectionery substrate. The method comprises replacing at least a portion of at least one fat-containing component of the coating material with an amount of a liquid medium chain triglyceride sufficient to maintain the viscosity of the coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Shantha Chandrasekaran Nalur
  • Patent number: 6056988
    Abstract: A crystalline pumpable confection mass for obtaining a chewy confectionery product is provided by preparing a sugar-containing liquid medium, concentrating the medium, cooling the concentrated medium to a temperature below its sugar saturation point and kneading to induce sugar crystal nucleation, and then, the medium in which sugar crystallization was induced is heated to obtain a product which is pumpable and so that sugar crystal nucleates are retained in the heated product. To obtain a solidified product, the heated product is cooled, and additionally, the cooling and kneading and heating may be carried out in an extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bangerter, Jamie Edward Geddes
  • Patent number: 6054152
    Abstract: An anti-choking candy design for allowing air to pass through an object of candy lodged in the throat of a user so that the user can still breathe. The candy design includes a mass of candy having at least three bores therethrough designed for permitting the passage of air through the mass of candy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: Terry N. Blount, Jeanne Blount
  • Patent number: 6051267
    Abstract: A chocolate or other fat-containing confectionery material is fed into and extruded from a screw extruder and the temperature of the extruder barrel wall and screw are controlled so that the material advanced through the extruder and the product from the die are non-pourable and so that the product is plastically deformable for a period of time, and in particular, the screw and barrel wall temperatures are controlled so that the screw has a temperature higher than the barrel wall temperature. Additionally, the material may be advanced within an extruder barrel wall which is roughened and the diameter of the screw root may increase in and along the direction of material advanced in the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Jury, John Howard Walker
  • Patent number: 6039986
    Abstract: A fortified foodstuff comprising a fortifying amount of a balanced blend of calcium lactate and calcium carbonate stabilised with a source of glucuronic acid, and a process for its preparation which comprises mixing a balanced blend of calcium lactate and calcium carbonate, adding a source of glucuronic acid, and adding to the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Chandrasekhar R Mallangi, Alexander A. Sher, Eileen Carol Fuchs, Dharam Vir Vadehra, Elaine Regina Wedral
  • Patent number: 6024995
    Abstract: The product, formed essentially as a praline, comprises a shell which encloses a creamy filing with very low viscosity, possibly enhanced by a nut. The shell which is coated by one or more coating layers, possibly with the addition of a sprinkled substance and decorative element, is constituted by two half-shells, coupled face to face. One of the half-shells is made of a moldable fat-containing substance such as chocolate, whereas the other half-shell is made of wafer. The contribution of the half-shell made of a moldable substance to the weight of the shell is preferably greatly predominant in comparison with the corresponding contribution of the wafer half-shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Renato Rosso
  • Patent number: 6017574
    Abstract: A method for making a frozen composition for storage. The method does not require a hardening step prior to storage. The method includes preparing a mixture of ingredients that include water and adding an anti-freeze protein to the mixture of ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: John F. Clemmings, Hans F. Zoerb, Diane R. Rosenwald, Victor T. Huang
  • Patent number: 6010735
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a lipophilic composition which is made of: a) as the principal lipophilic ingredient, a chocolate mass or a chocolate substitute mass which does not contain water continuous phase, and b) an aqueous ingredient containing between 25 and 90% water, wherein the water is immobilized in a gel obtained from an element selected from the group consisting of an edible carbohydrate with gelling properties, a pectin with gelling properties or a mixture thereof, and wherein the aqueous ingredient is substantially uniformly and homogeneously dispersed in the principal lipophilic ingredient and wherein the lipophilic composition has a softening temperature higher than 28.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Raffinerie Tirlemontoise
    Inventors: Anne Frippiat, Johan De Soete, Georges Smits, Thomas Keme
  • Patent number: 6007848
    Abstract: Low calorie food products that contain highly crystalline bulking agents that impart improved texture and mouthfeel to the food products are described. The food products contain 1,4-anhydroglucitol or 1,4-anhydrogalactitol and a food ingredient. A method of preparing 1,4-anhydro-DL-galactitol comprising heating galactitol in a water-immiscible, high-boiling, reaction-inert medium in the presence of a mineral acid is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Cultor Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael E. Hendrick, deceased, Barry J. Morton, Robert J. Rafka
  • Patent number: 6001404
    Abstract: A method of making a coated ball-shaped frozen dessert product in which an ice cream mix is coated around a center material. The method includes charging an edible center material into a rotary kettle, spraying an ice cream mix which has been adjusted to a temperature of -15.degree. C. to -35.degree. C. into the rotary kettle (the rotary kettle being at a temperature of -35.degree. C. to -15.degree. C.), while concomitantly feeding cooling air at a temperature of -15.degree. C. or below and coating the ice cream mix around the edible center material. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a spherical and spheroidal three-dimensional product can be efficiently produced. The frozen dessert product is free from any undesirable taste and does not contain needle holes or surface damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5989619
    Abstract: A chocolate composition having a reduced fat content of typically 18 to 25 wt % is produced by mixing (i) a major portion of a higher fat chocolate composition which has been flavour-developed, preferably by conching, with (ii) a minor proportion of a lower fat chocolate having a fat content below that required in the final chocolate composition, so as to produce the final reduced fat chocolate composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Cadbury Schweppes PLC
    Inventors: Albert Zumbe, Nigel Sanders
  • Patent number: 5976582
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for precoating of oil containing foodstuff such as chewing gum, nuts, almonds and caramels. The present invention also discloses a composition for the application in the method and foodstuffs coated with this composition. The precoating composition contains thinned hydroxypropylated starch, preferably tapioca starch, which can be used in relatively high concentration necessitating the application of only a limited number of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Cerestar Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Michel Henri Andre Gonze, Freddy Maurits Luc Van Der Schueren
  • Patent number: 5976605
    Abstract: The present invention describes the use of spray dried glucose as sweetening agent in chocolate compositions. The spay dried glucose is used to replace between 5 and 100% of the normal sweetening agent which is sucrose. The spray dried glucose is used in dark, milk and white chocolate. This replacement leads to product having lower viscosity and which is therefore easier to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Cerestar Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Freddy Maurits Luc Van Der Schueren, Mari Cornelis Willem Solner
  • Patent number: 5965181
    Abstract: A confectionary product comprising a center including a water soluble portion. A first coating that comprises a blend of xylitol/mannitol that substantially encloses the center and a second coating that consists essentially of one polyol that substantially encloses the first coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: David J. Barkalow, Michael A. Reed, Julius W. Zuehlke, Michael J. Greenberg, Gulcin Yilmazer, Gordon N. McGrew, Robert J. Yatka
  • Patent number: 5965179
    Abstract: To incorporate water into a chocolate, chocolate and an emulsion or dispersion of a thickening or gelling substance in water, particularly a dispersion of microcrystalline cellulose in water, are introduced into an extruder and mixed and passed to an extruder nozzle so that the chocolate mass extrudate from the nozzle has a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 28.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Ducret, Katrin Holz, Junkuan Wang, Hans-Juergen Wille
  • Patent number: 5962061
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of confectionary mass from the components of milk proteins, sugar, glucose, fat and water. The components are homogenized in a closed tank under controlled pressure and temperature and are transferred from the closed tank to a scraped surface rotor cooker at a pressure between 0.2 and 0.9 bar absolute. The components are retained in the cooker for a period of 4 to 10 seconds, then transferred from the cooker to an evaporation chamber that is in open connection with the cooker and that is at a pressure of 0.2 to 0.9 bar absolute. Steam from the evaporation chamber is condensed in a condenser connected to a vacuum chamber. The product is withdrawn from the vacuum chamber at a temperature below 100.degree. C. When little or no Maillard reaction is desired, the closed tank is maintained at a pressure no more than 1 bar absolute at a temperature between 40.degree. C. and 90.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ter Braak B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Gerardus Ter Braak
  • Patent number: 5962063
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a solid granular intermediate useful in chocolate production. In this process, a mixture comprising a bulk sweetener, milk material, cocoa liquor and water is stirred into a homogeneous mass, the mass is warmed with simultaneous kneading and subjected to a vacuum for removing water, and the kneading is continued under vacuum until crystallization of the mass takes place. The bulk sweetener consists mainly of a sugar alcohol, and the temperature of the mass is controlled so that at least a part of the bulk sweetener is present in solid state during the vacuum kneading. Also, the use of a product produced by the process for preparing chocolate, beverage or confectionery fillings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Taina Siukola, Maire Pylkkanen, Tammy Pepper
  • Patent number: 5958503
    Abstract: A fruit ganache for decorating, coating and/or filling pastry, biscuit and/or chocolate product, which has the physical and functional properties of a ganache, contains fruit, fruit extracts, or fruit substitutes and a fat which is a cocoa butter substitute in the form of a solid fat when kept at 25.degree. C., as well as the usual ingredients of a ganache, namely sugar or a sugar substitute, water, one or more emulsifiers, milk or a reconstituted product based on milk powder and optionally additives. The fruit ganache is in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Puratos Naamloze Vennootshcap
    Inventors: Dimitri Dumoulin, Jean-Luc Rene Soyeur
  • Patent number: 5955125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a confectionary holder which simulates the sound of rain as the holder is vertically positioned. The holder comprises a transparent tube having ends, two sides, and at least two sets of indents directed inward toward the center of the tube and one set of indents per side of the tube. Each indent has a peak, a peak depth, a sloping upper face, a sloping lower face, and between each indent is a space length. The peaks of said indents alternate from one side to the other side along the tube length. The angle of incline of each indent face and the length of the space between each indent are selected to allow rigid items, e.g., candy or gum, when placed in the holder, to create the sound of rain as the confectionary pieces flow downward dropping onto each indent face, sliding off each face, and moving from side to side from one end of the holder to the other end when the holder is vertically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Oddzon/Cap Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Sean T. Mullaney
  • Patent number: RE36937
    Abstract: Chocolate products are formed by feeding solid set chocolate to an extruder and passing the chocolate through the extruder at a temperature below the pour point of the chocolate to deform and extrude the chocolate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Malcolm R. Mackley