Abstract: A method for preparing a smooth, low-fat cheese base suitable for as a partial or total replacement for conventional cheese use in cheese products, cheese spreads and cheese blends having a fat content of less than 3% by weight is herein disclosed. The product is prepared by admixing a cultured milk product having a fat content of less than 0.5%, with a stabilizer, and a buffer. The resulting product is then blended to achieve the desired texture and consistency and then set.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming reclosable storage containers are provided to form and seal pouches containing products such as consumer food products. The film material handled thereby and the pouches thus formed include an access opening assembly having a reclosable closure assembly that is characterized by mating flexible closure strips having interlocking means that permit the consumer to easily open and readily and positively reclose the formed pouch. The apparatus and method engage together mating strips of film material sheeting to form a substantially closed web of sheet material that is generally spread or flattened and otherwise handled in order to minimize the formation of kinks and the like in seals formed by the apparatus and method.

Abstract: Coffee is produced by first suspending a bubbling bed thereof under conditions which avoid popping in a heated medium wherein the heating gas is present in excess of 10:1 gas to coffee, the gas being less than 630.degree. F., and thereafter exposing the coffee to a further charge of hot gas at a comparable gas to coffee ratio to complete the roast, the second charge of air being at a temperature equal to or less than the first charge. The roasted coffee which is produced has a roasted whole bean density of from 0.28 to 0.34 gms./cc. When the roasted whole beans are suitably ground, a roasted and ground coffee of 11 to 13.5 oz. per 1000 cc. is produced.

Abstract: A floating lid is provided which enables the preparation of a beverage of uniform consistency which is retarded in its loss of volatile, oxidation and contamination. The floating lid is buoyant and has an aperture through which the beverage passes.

Abstract: A wrapped packet of papers including a separate title page, one or more separate table of content pages and a continuous strip of fan-folded, two-ply sequentially-numbered paper sheets. Both the separate sheets and the sheets present in the continuous strip possess punched out holes for fastening the sheets into ring or post binders.

Abstract: The apparatus incorporates a conveyor having a generally horizontal upper run which includes container receiving and supporting apertures, at a first station. At a second station along the conveyor path, the containers are each filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable product which is dispensed into each of the containers during relative vertical separating movement of a filler nozzle with respect to each container. Thereafter, each of the product-filled containers is conducted to a third station along the conveyor path wherein a closure fitment is positioned within the opening of the filled conical container. At a fourth station along the conveyor path, a crimping device mechanically crimps the upper edge of the container about an upturned annular flange of the closure fitment to thereby form a mechanical connection between the closure fitment and the conical container.

Abstract: An aerated soft-frozen, fat-free protein-free water-ice product which is extrudable at 0.degree. to 10.degree. F., said product containing a critical level of chemical emulsifier in order to effect desirable textural characteristics.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine which combines a powdered beverage mix and water in a first mixing chamber, provides for additional dispersion and solubilization of the powder in water in one or more additional mixing chambers and thereafter gravity feeds the powder-containing liquid into a low-capacity reservoir from which the beverage may be dispensed on an intermittent basis.

Abstract: A dry mix which contains an emulsification system including a combination of Polysorbate 60 and dextrin can be used to produce a creamy cheese and stable fluid emulsion by hand shaking the dry mix with a low aqueous phase and an oil phase. The amount of shaking required to produce a stable oil-in-water emulsion is much reduced as compared to other emulsification systems.

Abstract: A microwave viewing device and, more particularly, an arrangement facilitating the internal viewing of a microwave oven during the preparation of a food product or the like in a microwaving process. The viewing device incorporates a tubular support which is extendable through an opening formed in a side wall of a microwave oven, and which extends into close proximity to a food product being subjected to microwave processing in the oven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a loaf food product in order to allow an automatic slicing system to slice the loaf to preset slice thicknesses. The loaf food product is securely held by a pair of loaf engaging members which are fastened to the inner edges of conveyor guide rails a short distance from the slicing apparatus. The members prevent the butt end of the loaf from being improperly sliced.

Abstract: A process for producing an all natural, enzyme-saccharified, cereal derived from whole grain is disclosed. The process involves milling and separating the whole grain to produce a bran fraction, an endosperm fraction, and a germ fraction. The germ fraction is processed by toasting and grinding and preferably by removing bran before the toasting. The bran fraction and any bran material separated out from the ground germ is modified to increase its functionality by high temperature, high shear extrusion in a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The endosperm fraction is coarsely milled, made into a slurry, cooked and then enzymatically hydrolyzed. The final step involves recombining the processed fractions, to form a cereal dough which is further processed to produce a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. Optionally from 1-15% of the whole grain may be malted and added into the cereal dough.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for steaming and later extracting roasted and ground coffee and the product of such process. The process comprises vacuum steaming roasted and ground coffee in a percolator at a temperature less than 200.degree. F. at a pressure of from 10" to 27"(Hg) and recovering the steam aroma produced by passing same through a wedge-wire draw-off apparatus, the draw-off apparatus comprising a helically wound wire assemblage being internal to the percolator. Thereafter the coffee is percolated to extract solids therefrom and the extract and aroma are combined and dehydrated to form a soluble coffee product.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of solubility of fumaric acid by grinding the fumaric acid to a set particle size, combining it with a wetting mixture of water, a polyol and an alkali. The product resulting therefrom may be further treated with a metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for preserving the green color of vegetables stored at refrigeration temperatures wherein vegetables are blanched with water or steam followed by a vacuum treatment for 30 minutes and an immersion treatment of the same while under vacuum in an alkaline solution having a pH of about 8.7 followed by vacuum release, packaging and storing the vegetables under refrigerated condition.

Abstract: A composition which modifies the physical characteristics of a lipid is disclosed. This composition comprises a hydrated, crystalline dipeptide sweetener and a lipid and can be used to produce a non-waxy, no melt chocolate by utilizing cocoa butter as the lipid source.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel sweeteners of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is hydrogen, alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, alkoxymethyl wherein the alkoxy contains 1-3 carbon atoms or --CO.sub.2 R in which R is alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms;A' is hydrogen or alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms;A and A' taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form cycloalkyl containing 3-4 carbon atoms;Y is --(CHR.sub.2).sub.n -R.sub.1 or --CHR.sub.3 R.sub.4 ;R.sub.1 is alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl or bicycloalkenyl containing at least one alkyl in the .beta.-position of the ring, up to 7 ring carbon atoms and up to a total of 12 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 is H or alkyl containing 1-4 carbon atoms;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each cycloalkyl containing 3-4 ring carbon atoms;n=0 or 1; andm=0 or 1;and food-acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Amides of L-aminodicarboxylic acids and B-aminoethers are low calorie sweeteners.

Abstract: A process for preparing an emulsion containing soy protein and which contains no milk fat, according to which the soy protein material, is initially dispersed in a non-milk fat phase instead of a water phase. The process may further include the addition of phosphates in an amount effective to impact the stability of the emulsion.