PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/378,899 filed October 10, 2022 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the U.S., pretzels are the #2 most consumed salty and a majority of consumers also purchase cheese related snacks regularly. However, previous attempts to combine the two for an easy snack have struggled for various reasons.

[0003] Previous approaches to making a cheese pretzel bite all had flaws that are now addressed by the current invention.

[0004] Some prior approach combined pretzels with cheese-flavored substance, their product is an extruded pretzel filled with the cheese mixture. One disadvantage of this approach was the need to use processed, not natural, ingredients, most notably a processed cheese. This led to an overly soft texture. It also baked only the pretzel and not the cheese itself with minimal health benefits.

[0005] Some approaches also involve using tray molds and placing whole pretzels into different size molds with different cheese types. One disadvantage of this approach resulted in a pretzel not fully enveloped by cheese, which resulted in the tops of the pretzels being easily burned. It also could result in the lack of a cohesive bite, was overly hard, and was not visually appealing to consumers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] One preferred embodiment of the invention is to create a more nutritious combination of cheese and pretzels into a bite-sized snack with real cheese as the main ingredient.

[0007] In one embodiment of the current invention, pretzel squares are ground through before being portioned and mixed with cheese.

[0008] One embodiment of the invention uses cheddar, but other embodiments may use other cheeses such as parmesan, asiago, pepper jack, jack, mozzarella, and mixes or combinations of some, or all, of those cheeses.

[0009] Additionally, the cheeses may be mixed with seasoning or left without seasoning.

[0010] After combining, the pretzel and cheese mixture is put into trays and baked together.

[0011] After exiting the oven, the bites are cooled in bins using fans.

[0012] The cooled finished product is then portioned into tubs and mixed with salt for a finished product with 1% salt. However other embodiments may have no added salt, less than 1% salt, or greater amounts of salt.

[0013] One embodiment of the current invention uses W’ size pretzel pieces mixed with cheddar and parmesan. This embodiment also further results in a crispy half-sphere product with pretzel pieces distributed throughout the product.

[0014] Alternative embodiments include, but are not limited to, the inclusion of pretzel into baked cheese, other shapes including mounds, squares, and other geometrical shapes, and larger final shapes that allow for larger pretzel pieces mixed throughout.

[0015] An embodiment of the invention contains at least six grams of protein and no sugar per serving. It is also possible for the invention to have pretzels, or pretzel pieces, evenly distributed across the entire product so that there is crunch in every bite. [0016] In one embodiment each product ends up around 1/10 of an ounce or 15 per ounce. It is possible to make larger or smaller products as long as those products still have pretzels, or pretzel pieces, throughout the product.

[0017] One embodiment contains the following ingredients: parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Pretzel Pieces (Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour, [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Malt, Salt, Soybean Oil), Seasoning (Sesame Seeds, Dried Onion, Dried Garlic, Poppy Seeds).

[0018] Another embodiment contains the following ingredients: Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt Enzymes Annatto [Color]), Pretzel Pieces (Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Malt, Salt, Soybean Oil).

[0019] Another embodiment contains the following ingredients: Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [Color]), Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Maltodextrin, Spices, Salt, Honey, Torula Yeast, Mustard (Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt), Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Distilled Vinegar, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Natural Flavors, Turmeric (Color), Paprika (Color).

[0020] Flavor profiles include, but are not limited to, (1) Parmesan with a rich, nutty, fruity taste, mixed with artisanal pretzels and Everything seasoning. This salty savory snack has delicious notes of toasted sesame, garlic and onion; (2) aged cheddar mixed with salty artisanal pretzels covered in a perfect blend of tangy and sweet real honey mustard seasoning; and (3) aged cheddar mixed with delicious salty artisanal pretzel for a perfectly balanced taste.

[0021] In one embodiment, nutritional information per serving includes 140 calories, 8g total fat, 5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 25mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 11g total carbohydrates, lg dietary fiber, Og sugar, 7g protein, . Imcg vitamin D, 180mg calcium, 6mg iron, and 40 mg potassium.

[0022] In one embodiment, nutritional information per serving includes 130 calories, 6g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 15mg cholesterol, 480mg sodium, 10g total carbohydrates, lg dietary fiber, 0 sugar, 8g protein, .Imcg vitamin D, 190mg calcium, ,7mg iron, and 50mg potassium.

[0023] In one embodiment, nutritional information per serving includes 140 calories, 7g total fat, 5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 20mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 11g total carbohydrates, lg dietary fiber, lg added sugar, 6g protein, . Imcg vitamin D, 180mg calcium, ,6mg iron, and 40mg potassium.

[0024] An embodiment of this invention results in craveworthy, crunchy bites that are delicious, nutritious and perfect for any snacking occasion. It may also use real cheese with pretzels to bring protein while reducing carbohydrates compared to prior snacks and creates a whole new, delicious experience.

[0025] An embodiment of this invention also uses lactose free cheese.

[0026] Images of embodiments of the product include:

[0027] This application is intended to describe one or more embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the use of absolute terms, such as “must,” “will,” and the like, as well as specific quantities, is to be construed as being applicable to one or more of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such embodiments. As such, embodiments of the invention

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) may omit, or include a modification of, one or more features or functionalities described in the context of such absolute terms. In addition, the headings in this application are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of the present invention.

[0028] Although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the scope of protection is defined by the words of the claims to follow. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment because describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0029] Thus, many modifications and variations may be made in the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present claims. Accordingly, it should be understood that the methods and apparatus described herein are illustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the claims.