Kellogg Company

Charles Aden Smith

Chris L Willoughby

Norbert Gimmler

Joseph George Akamittath

Gerry I Johnson

Tamara A Reichkitzer

Charles S Gambino

James B Holder

Douglas R Zimmermann

Helbert David Almeida Dominguez

Terry L Engle

Dave Helsen

Gilles G Renusson

Maria Ruhlman

Charles Bernath

Deidre E Bath

Gerald I Johnson

A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.

Apparatus and method for curled extrudate

An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.

A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void. This allows the pipe to operate within the ambient temperature of the environment and for the entrainable material to be entrained into the compressed gas prior to being introduced into the injector.

Gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus and process for forming foods

A food piece with a first dough sheet having a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first peripheral edge. The food piece also includes a second dough sheet having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first peripheral edge of the first dough sheet is joined together with the second peripheral edge of the second dough sheet to define a perimeter. The food piece also includes an embossment positioned within the perimeter. The embossment extends upon at least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface and includes at least one line along which the first and second dough sheets are joined.

Embossed cereal piece

Grid shaped cereal piece

Food product

Waffle bar

A leavened, farinaceous, baked food product having a crust on all sides and a method for producing the product. One embodiment of the leavened, farinaceous, baked food product has a quick bread-like texture and can be stored frozen and later toasted by the consumer without thawing. Alternatively, the product may be stored in a refrigerator and eaten without additional toasting. The product has a thickness and product strength that is suitable for a hand-held food. The product is produced by heating a batter comprising a chemical leavening agent, or a dough comprising a yeast leavening agent or chemical leavening agent or a combination of both, under low pressure in a confined space such that a crust is formed on all sides of the product's exterior.

Quick bread

Cereal piece

Growing community of inventors

Marshall, MI, United States of America

Charles Aden Smith