	US 12,458,031 B2
	Hard taco shell and method for producing the hard taco shell
Christine M. Dosch, Minneapolis, MN (US); John James Fenske, Shoreview, MN (US); Jason Herzog, St. Louis Park, MN (US); James David Nelson, Bloomington, MN (US); and Christine M. Nowakowski, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/963,635.
Application 17/963,635 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/339,437, filed on Jun. 4, 2021, granted, now 11,998,018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0032008 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A21D 13/24 (2017.01); A21D 13/42 (2017.01); B65B 23/00 (2006.01); B65D 77/02 (2006.01); B65D 85/36 (2006.01)

CPC A21D 13/24 (2017.01) [A21D 13/42 (2017.01); B65B 23/00 (2013.01); B65D 77/02 (2013.01); B65D 85/36 (2013.01); B65B 2220/18 (2013.01)]

20 Claims

1. A method of producing a hard taco shell having opposing sidewalls including lower sections joined by a base portion comprising applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted section of the hard taco shell, with the targeted section including the base portion and each of the lower sections of the sidewalls to soften the targeted section, thereby increasing hinging flexibility or pliability of the targeted section versus a remainder of each of the opposing sidewalls and enabling the opposing sidewalls to even engage each other without breaking the hard taco shell.