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AssigneeGeneral Mills, Inc.
InventorsChristine M. Dosch, John James Fenske, James David Nelson, Christine M. Nowakowski
Estimating the term…
A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell, such as by targeted spraying, rolling, brushing or dipping of the taco shells, thereby softening the base or spine portion, preferably across a strip width between 4 mm-20 mm. As a result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened base portion has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.
A method of producing a hard taco shell having two sidewall portions joined by a base portion comprising applying a plasticizing agent along at least one targeted section of the base portion to soften the at least one targeted section, thereby increasing hinging flexibility or pliability of the at least one targeted section to better maintain an overall structural integrity of the hard taco shell upon subsequent consumption.
A hard taco shell comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.