Mars, Incorporated

Wm Wrigley Jr Company

Jennifer Tomasso

Arun V Shastry

William J Bellody, Jr

Alfred Camporini

George Graham

James Suttle

Thomas M Collins

James M Suttle

Alfred V Camporini

George L Graham

William J Bellody

The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an indulgent edible composition that provides an orally pleasurable eating experience similar to chocolate as the chocolate melts in the oral cavity.

Indulgent edible composition

The present invention is directed to an indulgent edible composition that provides an orally pleasurable eating experience similar to chocolate as the chocolate melts in the oral cavity comprising (a) a starch that when combined with water in a weight ratio of 5:95 starch to water, has a viscosity at 22&#xb0; C. of about 0.03 Pa-s to about 2 Pa-s at a shear rate of 10 sec; (b) a protein-containing component that will substantially hydrate in water and will not coagulate; (c) a sweetener that when substantially hydrated is at least 90% free of crystals in said edible composition; (d) a fat-containing component that melts at a temperature of about 45&#xb0; C. or less; (e) a hydrocolloid gelling agent that facilitates the formation of a gel matrix that will break down at a temperature of about 45&#xb0; C. or less; and (f) an edible surfactant that is food-grade and has a HLB value of about 0 to about 12, wherein the edible composition has a total moisture content from about 10% to about 50% moisture by weight of the composition.

A method for forming thin edible pieces uses two continuous belts that cooperate to form a fill cavity. An edible mass, such as chocolate, is flowed into the fill cavity where it forms an edible blank which is transported on a belt path with the two belts moving in tandem. After the edible blank is released from the first or second continuous belt, a three-dimensional shape may be imparted to the edible blank at a forming station using one or more stamping dies or a forming drum. Using the techniques and apparatus described herein, novel edible products, and particularly novel chocolate products, can be made having shape characteristics that cannot be obtained using known molding or forming techniques.

Methods and apparatus for forming shaped edible pieces

Expanded edible products having a porous, foamed, or cellular interior and self-sealing surface or skin are provided. The texture and structure of the expanded products are controlled by manipulating a pre-expanded food formulation comprising hydrocolloid and moisture.

Self-sealing expanded edible product

Growing community of inventors

Flanders, NJ, United States of America

Jennifer Tomasso