Rene M Smethers

6509052, Jan 21, 2003

Nov 6, 2000

09/706907

Richard O. Benham - New Hope MN
Sheryl S. Brunken - Delano MN
Robert C. Dechaine - Crystal MN
Timothy J. Gluszak - Eden Prairie MN
Rene K. Smethers - Crystal MN
Craig E. Zimmermann - Waconia MN

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A23P 100

426512, 426389

Apparatus ( ) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers ( ) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller ( ). The forming rollers ( ) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves ( ) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food ( ) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material ( ) and a continuous ribbon of film material ( ) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller ( ) and the anvil roller ( ). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller ( ), the materials ( ) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller ( ) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller ( ) and the anvil roller ( ). The food ( ) compressed upon the support material ( ) by the first abutment nip is in phase with the grooves ( ) of the second abutment nip. The film material ( ) removes the food ( ) from the grooves ( ) and can be discarded after passing through the second abutment nip and prior to the support material ( ) being cut to longitudinal lengths and widths between the embossed shapes of food ( ).

59356138, Aug 10, 1999

May 21, 1998

9/082781

Richard O. Benham - New Hope MN
Sheryl S. Brunken - Delano MN
Robert C. Dechaine - Crystal MN
Timothy J. Gluszak - Eden Prairie MN
Rene K. Smethers - Crystal MN
Craig E. Zimmermann - Waconia MN

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A23P 100
B28B 1300

425 89

Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller (18), the materials (16, 66) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller (70) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller (21) and the anvil roller (20). The food (14) compressed upon the support material (16) by the first abutment nip is in phase with the grooves (24) of the second abutment nip. The film material (66) removes the food (14) from the grooves (24) and can be discarded after passing through the second abutment nip and prior to the support material (16) being cut to longitudinal lengths and widths between the embossed shapes of food (14).

57550778, May 26, 1998

Mar 14, 1997

8/809537

Richard O. Benham - New Hope MN
Sheryl S. Brunken - Delano MN
Robert C. Dechaine - Crystal MN
Timothy J. Gluszak - Eden Praire MN
Rene K. Smethers - Crystal MN
Craig E. Zimmermann - Waconia MN

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

B65B 6300

53428

Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller (18), the materials (16, 66) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller (70) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller (21) and the anvil roller (20). The food (14) compressed upon the support material (16) by the first abutment nip is in phase with the grooves (24) of the second abutment nip. The film material (66) removes the food (14) from the grooves (24) and can be discarded after passing through the second abutment nip and prior to the support material (16) being cut to longitudinal lengths and widths between the embossed shapes of food (14).

61907170, Feb 20, 2001

May 17, 1999

9/312615

Richard O. Benham - New Hope MN
Sheryl S. Brunken - Delano MN
Robert C. Dechaine - Crystal MN
Timothy J. Gluszak - Eden Prairie MN
Rene K. Smethers - Crystal MN
Craig E. Zimmermann - Waconia MN

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A23P 100

426512

Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller (18), the materials (16, 66) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller (70) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller (21) and the anvil roller (20). The food (14) compressed upon the support material (16) by the first abutment nip is in phase with the grooves (24) of the second abutment nip. The film material (66) removes the food (14) from the grooves (24) and can be discarded after passing through the second abutment nip and prior to the support material (16) being cut to longitudinal lengths and widths between the embossed shapes of food (14).