Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to microwaveable food containers and food products for high-temperature cooking applications and related methods. In an embodiment, a disposable microwaveable food container for high-temperature cooking applications is included. The container can include an inner cup including a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, the side wall comprising a top, and a top seal layer in contact with the top of the side wall. The bottom wall and side wall together can define a reservoir to hold a food material. An outer cover shell can include a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, a top wall connected the side wall, and a support structure for supporting the inner cup. The support structure can contact the inner cup and hold it in a position with a bottom gap, a side gap, and a top gap. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to multilayer films for food packaging including migratory active substances. In an embodiment, a multilayer packaging film is included with a first polymeric layer and a second polymeric layer, wherein the first polymeric layer directly contacts a first side of the second polymeric layer. The first polymeric layer can be directly bonded to the second polymeric layer via a welding process. The first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer can each comprise the same thermoplastic polymer. Contact between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer can be discontinuous defining a plurality of cavities between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to articles and methods for detecting heating patterns within model food compositions containing irreversible thermochromic ink, and for creating multi-dimensional temperature distribution profiles within a packaged model food composition. In an embodiment, a packaged model food composition for thermal testing is included. The packaged model food composition can include a package and a model food composition disposed in the package. The model food composition can include a model food material that shares processing characteristics with a target food material and 0.05 wt. % to 20 wt. % of one or more irreversible thermochromic inks. The irreversible thermochromic inks can exhibit a variable change in at least one color parameter in response to temperature change across a selected temperature range. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to relate to multi-phase food products in deformable containers configured for squeeze dispensing. In an embodiment, a food product is included having a deformable container, wherein the container deforms under an applied force to a deformed state retaining a spring potential energy of less than 25% of the work associated with the applied force. The deformable container including a pressure operated dispensing valve in fluid communication with a channel of the deformable container. The food product further including a food material disposed within the interior volume, the food material including a liquid phase, and a solid phase. The food material having a drain weight of at least 10% and less than 50% when evaluated using a #12 sieve. The food material having a viscosity at 22.5 degrees Celsius of 12 Pa·s to 560 Pa·s at a shear rate of 0.1 [1/s]. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, a food processing system is included with a continuous processing channel divided into a come-up chamber, a main electromagnetic wave (such as microwave) heating chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The continuous processing channel can define at least two separate portions oriented for vertical product movement. In various embodiments, the come-up chamber, the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber, and the cool-down chamber are at least partially filled with liquid. The system can further include a product conveyor mechanism to convey food products to be processed continuously along a conveyance path passing from the come-up chamber through the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber and to the cool-down chamber. The system can further include an electromagnetic wave energy emitting apparatus configured to emit electromagnetic wave energy into the main heating chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to stabilized, whole-grain flour, food products including such stabilized, whole-grain flour, and methods of making stabilized, whole-grain flour and food products including the same. In an embodiment, a method of making a stable, whole grain flour is included. Whole grain wheat flour made using this method has shown exceptional biscuit and cracker making functionality producing high quality end products. The method can include tempering whole grain wheat and heating the tempered whole grain wheat at a temperature of about 120 degrees Celsius to about 160 degrees Celsius for about 5 to 20 minutes. The method can further include milling the whole grain to form a bran and germ fraction and a break flour fraction, fine milling the bran and germ fraction, and recombining the fine milled bran and germ fraction with the break flour fraction to produce a straight run flour. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments include piston filling apparatuses having first and second piston pumps in fluid communication with supply reservoirs. The first and second piston pumps can each draw in a volume of fluid and simultaneously expel a volume of fluid. Fluid expelled by the first and second piston pumps can be mixed in a manifold and allowed to flow through a filler nozzle by a filler valve. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include gluten-free baked products such as crackers, gluten-free flour formulations, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cracker flour substitute composition is included having a starch blend including a native starch with 20-30% amylose content, a cross-linked starch and a pre-gelatinized starch with 1-5% amylose content. The composition can include between 0 and 20 ppm gluten. In an embodiment, a shelf-stable baked cracker is included. The shelf-stable baked cracker can include a flour substitute composition including a starch blend having a native starch with 20-30% amylose content, a cross-linked starch, and a pre-gelatinized starch with 1-5% amylose content. The composition can include between 0 and 20 ppm gluten. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include gluten-free baked products such as breads gluten-free flour formulations, and related methods. In an embodiment, a bread flour substitute composition is included having a starch blend and a hydrocolloid blend. The starch blend can include a native starch with 20-30% amylose content, a native waxy starch with 0-1% amylose content, and a cross-linked starch. The hydrocolloid blend can include hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and psyllium fiber. The composition can include between 0 and 20 ppm gluten. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include systems and methods for forming meat products into chunks. In an embodiment, a system for producing irregular shredded meat pieces from a meat log is included. The system can include a conveying mechanism, a first rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, a first plurality of shredding fingers connected to the first rotational shredding shaft, a second rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, and a second plurality of shredding fingers connected to the second rotational shredding shaft. The first and second rotation shredding shafts configured to rotate in directions opposite from one another. In some embodiments, the system can also include a cutting blade disposed downstream from the first and second rotational shredding shafts. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a food product. The food product can include a container and a food composition. The container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. In an embodiment, the invention includes a microwaveable food container. The microwaveable food container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus for filling containers and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for filling containers including a filler frame, a rotary turret assembly, a filler plenum assembly, piston assemblies, a cam track, and a fluid supply group. The cam track can include a first rising portion, a second rising portion, a first declining portion, a first flat portion, and a second declining portion. In some embodiments, the apparatus for filling containers can include a sensor and a lever actuator. The piston assemblies can move up and down within the plurality of hollow columns and can include a piston body, and a top hat assembly. The top hat assembly can include a cam contact member and a release lever. The top hat assembly can be configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body in some embodiments. The release lever can allow the piston body and the top hat assembly to release from one another when the release lever is engaged.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instant food systems and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for preparing a hot instant food product. The method can include adding a heated liquid to a container, adding a substantially dry food product mixture to the container, wherein the volume of the dry food product mixture is equal to at least 20% of the volume of heated liquid, placing a mixing head into the container, and rotating the mixing head for a period of less than sixty seconds in order to form a fully hydrated frothed food product. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation machine is included. In an embodiment, a mixing head is included. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation kit is included. Other embodiments are also included herein.