General Mills, Inc.

General Mills IP Holdings Ii, LLC

Andrew Peterson

James W Geoffrion

Susan L Kamper

Michael D Engesser

Justin Shimek

Steve D White

Dried soft aerated confections and methods of their preparation are provided having a water activity of about 0.1 to 0.4 and a glass transition temperature of less than 20&#xb0; C. The confections comprise sugars, a foaming and a structuring ingredient, preferably each gelatin, and about 5 to 15% softening agent. Preferred softening agents include glycerin, polyglycerols and mixtures thereof. The confections are aerated to densities of about 0.1 to 0.5 g/cc. The soft dried aerated confections are particularly suited for addition to children's Ready-To-Eat cereals in the form of pieces weighing about 0.1 to 2 g each. The dried confection pieces maintain their soft texture over time without causing moisture migration to the cereal.

Soft dried marshmallow and method of preparation

A dispensing apparatus is provided suitable for dispensing at least first and second components in desired ratios especially for multi-component packaged food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and a first auger having a hollow shaft disposed within the hopper having component conveying flights and a drive means for rotating the auger. A first component is conveyed by the auger flights and dispensed at an outlet while a second component is conveyed though a hollow shaft of the auger. The apparatus can include a second rotationally driven auger that is positioned within the hollow shaft of the first auger having conveying flights. The second component can be conveyed via the second auger within the hollow shaft. The second auger's shaft also can be hollow whereby a third component can be conveyed through the second hollow shaft of the second auger. Also provided are methods for dispensing measured quantities of multiple components for providing blends of components characterized by highly uniform amounts of each component in each quantity of the blend. The components dispensed can be blended and packaged in a single container such as a film pouch or separately in a multi-compartment pouch.

Dispensing apparatus and method of dispensing

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Andrew Peterson