Abstract: A process is provided for preparing soft, gummy candies that retain their physical shapes well and have a pleasant bite and chew when employed in ice cream. The process entails preparing a first premix of sucrose, glycerin, corn syrup and water and blending it with a hydrated gelatin/pectin solution. The resulting combined solution is then cooked at elevated temperature and pressure to form a candy melt. The resulting candy melt is reduced in moisture content and mixed with color, flavor and acid prior to forming the candy melt into discrete, soft candy pieces, e.g., by depositing in starch moulds. The candies are mixed with ice cream to form a soft candy and ice cream confection.

Abstract: An improved, low-fat cereal product contains clusters of base cereal comprising crisp, friable cereal preferably principally or all crisp cereal comprised of crisp rice, flaked cereal and/or puffed cereal. The clusters are prepared by binding together a plurality of crisp cereal pieces by applying in sequence, liquid oil, dry binder mix and a liquid sugar mixture.

Abstract: A beverage concentrate is prepared for mixing with carbonated water and whipping to an overrun of about 100%. The beverage concentrate compositions of the invention enable the preparation of low-calorie beverages of less than 100 calories per 12 ounce serving. In a preferred form the concentrate for dilution with carbonated water, freezing and whipping comprises: water; a polyol, flavor, acidulent, buffering salts, and high-intensity sweetener. Despite having very little solids and no sugar, they can be diluted and still have a suitably depressed freezing point of from about 24 to 26° F., e.g., 25° F.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a setting system for use in the making of gelatin desserts comprising gelatin and an anionic hydrocolloid gum wherein the weight ratio of gelatin to anionic hydrocolloid gum is approximately 250-375:1. Through the use of such a setting system, lower gelatin use of up to 10% or more can be realized while achieving an increase in gel strength of up to about 20%.

Abstract: A shipping and display case having a unique series of perforated tears and cuts for opening the case. The case may have a conventional box shape, including front, back, left, right, top and bottom panels, and the case is provided with a perforated tear line that is used to open the case. The score line is formed by a multitude of perforations or slits; and the slits in selected portions of the tear line are substantially longer than the slits in the rest of the tear line. In particular, in the portions of the tear line that cross over left and right front edges of the case, and in selected angled portions of the tear line, the slits are substantially longer than the slits in the rest of the tear line. These longer slits make it easier to cut or tear through areas where it is normally difficult to tear cleanly.

Abstract: A method is described of non-destructive testing an evacuated package for the presence of a leak, said evacuated package comprising a sealed filled evacuated bag (1) containing a predetermined quantity of a comminuted product, which comprises: causing a surface (2) of a sealed filled evacuated bag (1) under test to impact under controlled conditions with a supported piezo electric device (7), and measuring a resultant transient electrical test signal.

Abstract: A reclosable packaged food container, comprising an outer carton and an inner flexible liner. The outer carton has a generally semi-rigid construction, the inner liner is positioned inside the outer carton, and a supply of a food product is disposed in that liner. The outer carton includes a top wall that, in turn, includes first and second opposing top flaps. These flaps are movable between closed and open positions; and in the open position, the top flaps form a top opening, longitudinally extending only partly across the length of the top wall, to provide access to the inner liner. The inner liner includes a top edge and a top portion. That top edge is adapted to form a reclosable pour opening at the top of the top portion of the liner. In addition, the top portion of the liner is adapted to form a collapsible pouring spout extending only partly across the top edge of the liner and also extending through the top opening in the carton to dispense the food product from the liner.

Abstract: A container that includes a sound assembly mounted thereon. The sound assembly includes a sound chip activated by a light sensor. An opening is cut into the container for receiving the sound chip which is mounted on a mounting member. The mounting member, in turn, is sealed to the container such that the opening is completely closed and the mounting member is substantially visually indistinguishable from the exterior of the container. The sound assembly is preferably mounted near the end of the container designed to be opened such that it is activated immediately upon opening the container.

Abstract: A baked, shelf-stable, hand-held snack bar comprised of a crust and a smooth, creamy cheesecake-like filling. The crust surrounds the bottom and longitudinal sides of the bar. The filing is exposed on its top surface. The filing and crust are each formulated to water activity of 0.60-0.90 and the filling has a milk fat content of less than 10%.

Abstract: A self-whitening spray dried instant coffee is prepared by spray drying a caseinate-free aqueous emulsion having a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 and consisting essentially of 30-80% water and 20-70% solids, wherein the solids contain, on a dry weight basis, 10-70% soluble coffee, 5-60% oil, 0-85% filler, and 0-10% emulsifier.

Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and opening system therefor includes first and second barrier walls having top edges and upper portions of opposite side edges which matingly face one another and which form an open top therebetween. A bifold membrane with a longitudinal fold is located in the open top. A membrane attachment securely attaches peripheral edges of the bifold membrane to adjacent top edges and upper portions of the opposite side edges such that the bifold membrane closes the open top and the facing top edges of the barrier walls are movable away from one another to expose the longitudinal fold for piercing by a straw. In a preferred embodiment, a side attachment securely attaches facing portions of the peripheral edges of the bifold membrane adjacent the upper portions of the opposite side edges so that the facing upper portions of the opposite side edges are not movable away from one another and thus the facing top edges tend to stay together and protect the bifold membrane.

Abstract: A packaging system for pillow bags containing coffee or other consumable products which generate gases includes a container assembly into which a triangular shaped insert is positioned to reduce the space at the top portion of the container. The insert prevents excessive swelling in the headspace of the bags and also reduces damages occurring to the bags by eliminating movement of the bags in the container during transport.

Abstract: A baked food product comprised of a yeast-leavened, bread-like crust completely enrobing a cheese filling. The product may be shaped for reheating in a toaster or toaster oven or on a grill. The filling may have particulate food particulates added, such as diced meat and/or vegetables.

Abstract: A two stage coffee roasting process includes a first stage, green coffee beans are roasted for 5-15 minutes to a roast color of 30-50 Lu. In a second stage, the beans are further roasted for ½-3½ minutes to a roast color of 4-19 Lu. The roasted beans have a reduced density in the range of 0.27-0.38, and a roast color of 4-19 Lu. Analysis of sulfur compounds in the coffee aroma reveals a high level of methylmercaptan, a key compound for the pleasant aroma of freshly roasted and ground coffee. Coffee beans roasted in accordance with the present invention have a generally high titratable acidity at a given density and roast color.

Abstract: In order to provide a package which is inexpensive to manufacture, sufficiently stable to protect the contents of the package and repeatedly and consistently openable and closeable, a package and a blank therefor is disclosed. The blank comprises front wall (10) , back wall (14) and side wall (12) segments, and the front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments (20, 24, 32, 28). At least two (24, 26) of the closure segments are arranged to be foldable on top of one another to form a pocket with one open side (26) At least a further one of the closure segments (20) is arranged to be insertable into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of an end of the package.

Abstract: A self-whitening spray dried instant coffee is prepared by spray drying a caseinate-free aqueous emulsion having a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 and consisting essentially of 30-80% water and 20-70% solids, wherein the solids contain, on a dry weight basis, 10-70% soluble coffee, 5-60% oil, 0-85% filler, and 0-10% emulsifier.