Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dale A. Bjorkman
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Patent number: 8187645Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: Heidi O'Sullivan, Jennifer M. Maack, Leslie D. Miller, Joana Montenegro, Lisa K. Pannell, Richard A. Thompson
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Patent number: 8168248Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Barrie R. Froseth, Jonathan W. Devries
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Patent number: 8057837Abstract: Disclosed are microwave popcorn articles including a thickened liquid (at room temperature) oil and their methods of preparation. The microwave popcorn articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag or container, and a food charge disposed therein comprising kernel popcorn and/or puffable pellets; 1% to 45% liquid (at room temperature) oil; and, 0% to 4% salt. The oil ingredient has a melting point of ?25° C. The oil ingredient includes an oil thickening ingredient especially a starch based oil thickening ingredient such as a cyclodextrin in amounts sufficient to dimensionally stabilize the oil. By avoiding hydrogenation to solidify the oil into a solid fat at room temperatures, finished popcorn products can be provided that are desirably low in trans fatty acid content. The methods of preparation include preparing a heated oil thickened with cyclodextrin complexed with the oil and adding the thickened oil to the microwave container.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: David W. Plank, Jessica Raby Luger, Kory M. Kolvig
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Patent number: 7736684Abstract: Fat-containing compositions comprise a fat component having less than 40% by weight of trans fat and a cyclodextrin, wherein at least about 25% of the cyclodextrin in the composition is bound to the fat. The fat compositions as provided herein can be substantially more viscous or harder than a like fat composition that does not contain cyclodextrin that is bound to the fat. Food products and methods of use of food products are described. Methods of making these compositions are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: David W. Plank, Michael A. Staeger
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Patent number: 7732000Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Barrie R. Froseth, Jonathan W. Devries
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Patent number: 7579030Abstract: Food products can include dried microorganisms as a biocontrol agent. The dried cultures resist inactivation during pasteurization of the food product. The microorganisms are selected to be nontoxic and to inhibit growth of pathogenic microorganisms. For example, the biocontrol microorganisms can produce acid to lower the pH of the product thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogens.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: General Mills Cereals, LLC.Inventors: David J. Domingues, John H. Hanlin
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Patent number: 6881429Abstract: Methods for making an uncooked extruded dough product are provided, comprising extruding a dough composition of pre-gelatinized starch comprising at least about 75 percent of amylopectin, flour, leavening agent and water through a die under conditions so that the dough composition does not exceed 140° F. throughout the extrusion process. The resulting dough product when cooked has a baked specific volume of greater than about 3.0 cc/g. Products of this process, including filled products, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: Quinghuang Geng, Doug L. Goedeken, Susan M. Hayes-Jacobson, James S. Thorson, Jean L. Weber
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Patent number: 6824807Abstract: Chemical leavener systems are provided for use in flour-containing foodstuffs that contain an enzyme for hydrolyzing an acidulant precursor. The chemical leavener system comprises an acidulant precursor and an alkaline carbonate, wherein the majority of carbon dioxide gas provided by the chemical leavener system when used in a hydrolyzing enzyme-containing foodstuff is created by reaction of an alkaline carbonate with an acid that is the hydrolysis product of the acidulant precursor. Methods of use of the acidulant precursor and the chemical leavener system, and products made by these methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: Victor T. Huang, Fern A. Panda
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Patent number: 6793937Abstract: A method of delivering active material using microbeads comprising droplets of active material entrained in a hydrophilic matrix. Compositions comprising the microbeads may be sprayable. The microbeads of the invention may be controllable by exposing the microbeads to high or low humidity or moisture.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Douglas Quong
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Patent number: 6660352Abstract: Electrostatically charged graphic sheets are additionally provided with a preapplied activatable adhesive. Such sheets may be oriented on a display substrate using the electrostatically induced adhesion, and more securely fastened to the display substrate using the activatable adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Chih-Chung Hsu, Steven R. Austin, Charles C. Lee, Terry L. Morris
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Patent number: 6637124Abstract: An adhesive backed measuring tape is disclosed that can provide customized, printed measurement scales on a single flexible backing that has a positionable or repositionable adhesive for contact with flat surfaces, single curved surfaces, or compound curved surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the measuring tape has multiple scales printed thereon. The combination of linear sections and transverse axes defined by intervals can permit a variety of repeating scales on a single tape, minimizing waste of tape unrolled from a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jeffrey C. Pederson
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Patent number: 6582791Abstract: A vinyl graphic marking film or label coated with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive designed to achieve high or permanent adhesion to polymeric low energy surfaces is disclosed. In addition to good adhesion to low energy surfaces, the graphic marking film or label may have microperforated or micro-rough edges which initiate tearing when removal is attempted. The article maintains flexibility and film strength for easy fabrication in graphic marking film or label manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard L. Peloquin, Albert I. Everaerts, Kenneth D. Wilson, Stephen J. Galick
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Patent number: 6562361Abstract: A microbead comprising pheromone encapsulated in a coacervate shell is provided. The coacervate shell is entrained in a hydrogel microbead without chemical crosslinking. The microbeads of the present invention are capable of dehydration and rehydration to release of pheromone to the intended environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Douglas Quong
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Patent number: 6540991Abstract: A stabilized insect mating disruption pheromone compositions comprising an insect pheromone and 2,2′-Methylenebis(6-t-butyl-p-cresol). Methods of use and microcapsules containing these compositions are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Darryl F. Klassen, David J. Muir
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Patent number: 6524649Abstract: A method for coating includes applying an adhesive to a surface, wherein the surface comprises an arrangement of structures thereon, wherein the structures extend upward from a plane of the surface and have at least one sidewall that makes an angle with respect to the plane of the surface of greater than 0° and less than 90° selected to reduce air bubble formation for a coating solution of a selected rheology.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Frank T. Sher, Danny L. Fleming, Mung-Lin S. Tan
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Patent number: 6514599Abstract: A polymer useful for a multi-stage inhibiting of the migration of pigmented inks in porous inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The polymer is quite soluble in water and has quaternary amine functional groups. Methods of making and using such polymer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mahfuza B. Ali, Clinton P. Waller, Jr.
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Patent number: 6511701Abstract: A method of coating a polymer substrate with a dry composition comprising particles is provided. The particles have a Mohs hardness between 1 and 2.5 and preferably a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. The particles are buffed on the substrate with an applicator which moves in a manner parallel to the surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ranjith Divigalpitiya, Gabriella Miholics, David C. Chambers
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Patent number: 6475609Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which comprises color shifting film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycerol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board, and fiberglass. Examples of other matrix materials include putties or molding clays, rubbers, and adhesives.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leland R. Whitney, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Thomas J. Scanlan
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Patent number: 6455140Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which, comprise visible mirror film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycenol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board and fiberglass.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leland R. Whitney, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 6375968Abstract: A microbead comprising a hydrophilic matrix having active-filled microcapsules entrained therein. Compositions comprising the microbeads suspended in solution are useful for delivering active material. The microbeads of the invention may be controllable by exposing the microbeads to high or low humidity or moisture.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Douglas Quong