Abstract: An extrusion and conditioning apparatus, with an extruder in a conveying position, leads into a conveyor housing connected in a sealed manner to a pneumatic supply line and to a pneumatic conveyor line in which extruded material can be removed pneumatically, by means of superheated steam, via the conveyor line. The extruder can be moved from the conveying position into a bypass position, in which the extruder leads to the exterior of the conveyor housing, having a means for sealing the supply and conveyor lines and the conveyor housing from the surroundings when the extruder is in the conveying and bypass positions.

Abstract: A sealed beverage preparation capsule includes a sealed hollow body having a top and a bottom, a beverage preparation ingredient inside the body and a layer of filter material at least about 2 mm thick located inside the body and abutting said bottom of said body. A kit is also provided for assembling a plurality of beverage preparation capsules. The capsules include a cup-shaped base having a bottom, and side walls extending from the base to an upper rim defining an open top of the base component, and a plurality of ingredient pods. Each ingredient pod includes a top, side walls and a bottom, each formed of sheet material, wherein the pod contains a beverage preparation ingredient. The ingredient pod is shaped and configured to be engaged with the base component to assemble a beverage making capsule, with the top of the pod forming a lid for the base component and the bottom of the ingredient pod spaced from the bottom of the base inside the base.

Abstract: A method for deep-frying foods in which the foods to be deep-fried are delivered to hot oil or fat and transported out of the hot oil after a predetermined residence time, wherein a steam zone with superheated steam is generated above a free surface of the oil, which shields the oil from the ambient air, and from which a flow of steam corresponding to an amount of water evaporating from the deep-fried foods is withdrawn.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of identifying individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders or to predict and determine the efficacy of treatment of the disorder by acquiring information about visual scanning behaviour and fluctuations of visual scanning behaviour of individuals comprising presenting to the individual a sequence of visual stimuli, wherein each visual stimulus is comprised of multiple images with specific characteristics, measuring the point-of-gaze of said subject on the visual stimuli and calculating a set of statistical measures that describes the visual scanning behaviour of the individual on images or portion of images with the same characteristics; and making a determination of biases in visual scanning behaviour of the individual, by comparing the statistical measures of the individual to the statistical measures of controls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing a dog to determine the likelihood that the dog is protected from liver copper accumulation, comprising detecting in a sample the presence or absence in the genome of the dog of one or more polymorphisms selected from (a) SNP ATP7a_Reg3_F_6 (SEQ ID NO:142) and (b) one or more polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium with (a).

Abstract: The present invention provides a foodstuff comprising vitamin C, taurine, curcumin and aloe vera, it use in the control of skin disorders and methods for controlling skin disorders. The foodstuff of the invention assists in the management of a skin disorder such as inflammatory or allergic skin disorders. The foodstuff further assists in the management of secondary infections associated with the skin disorder. Use of the foodstuff may allow the reliance on conventional treatments for skin disorders to be reduced.

Abstract: Methods for producing meat analog as well as formulations are disclosed. The novel production method uses a device designed to texturize the product while providing superior heat transfer for cooking. The device includes a helical compression conveyer with internal and external heating sources that delivers a high ratio of surface area for heat transfer to product volume. This results in the device being capable of heating of the emulsion volume as it is moved from the inlet to the outlet of the device to form a meat analog within the device in which the meat analog is formed in multiple segments to result in the meat analog having a defined surface texture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a packaged, shelf-stable, gelled natural fruit pulp, in which the natural pectins of the fruit pulp have been substantially demethoxylated by the action of a pectinmethylesterase enzyme under ultra-high pressure (UHP) conditions. Also provided is a method of preparation of the packaged, ambient-stable, natural fruit product.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions containing polyphenols, for example, cocoa polyphenols such as flavanols and their related oligomers, and methods for treating abnormalities in gap junctional communication of cells, such as cancer, heart arrhythmia, neuro-degenerative diseases and cognitive dysfunction.

Abstract: A dispensing machine for dispensing items to customers comprising a cabinet having at least one window, a plurality of supports for supporting a plurality of different items to be dispensed to customers, a pointing device for selecting a desired item from the plurality of items, an indicator associated with the pointing device and operable to provide an indication, visible through the window, of which item is being selected by the pointing device without dispensing said selected item, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the selected item in response to a dispensing instruction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and formulas are disclosed for producing a shaped baked good with a rounded shape. In one embodiment, the formula may include a high melting point fat and a granular sugar at a weight ratio of about 1:1 to form a rounded cookie piece that minimizes flattening during baking. The cookie composition may be formed by passing a cookie dough between opposing rollers or press plates to form a web. The web may then be baked, rehydrated, separated, and deflashed to form individual rounded cookie pieces.

Abstract: A display carton with controlled deflection zones that are designed to control the weak points of the carton and to direct deformation of the carton when compressed. As more and more weight is added to the top surface of a carton that embodies a deflection zone, the deflection zone may initially resist crushing. As even more weight is added, the deflection zone may start to give way. The deflection zone helps to controlling the image of the container, even if the container becomes crushed. The display carton may incorporate different styles of deflection zones, and the display carton may incorporate the deflection zones at a variety of locations of the carton. Additionally, the controlled deflection zones can be incorporated into many different styles of display cartons, shipping containers, boxes and the like, including shipping containers that can be converted easily from a shipping configuration to a display configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for packing a material in a packing container. The method includes the steps of providing a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam in a housing; supplying a material to the gaseous atmosphere and delivering a packing container to the gaseous atmosphere. Thereafter, the material is filled into the packing container, the packing container is sealed inside the gaseous atmosphere, and filled packing container is moved out of the gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: A compostable sheet material comprising a compostable substrate layer, a first compostable and sealable layer on a first side of the substrate layer, and a second compostable and sealable layer overlying said first sealable layer, wherein the material of the second sealable layer has a lower heat-sealing initiation temperature than the material of the first sealable layer. Also provided are environmentally friendly packages comprising the inventive sheet material, and methods of making such packages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter comprising a rice grain, which has been at least partially milled, and, on the surface of the rice grain, a coating comprising bran, a material which increases the fiber value of the composition, or a combination thereof. The present invention provides for compositions that may have the benefits of traditional white rice, i.e., soft mouth feel, short cook times, easy to digest, white appearance, long shelf-life, etc., with the benefits of brown rice, i.e., high nutritional value and enhanced flavor. Indeed, the nutritional value of the compositions of the present invention may be equal to or better than that of wholegrain brown rice. The present invention further relates to methods for the preparation of a whole grain rice composition.

Abstract: A method for deep-frying foods in which the foods to be deep-fried are delivered to hot oil or fat and transported out of the hot oil after a predetermined residence time, wherein a steam zone with superheated steam is generated above a free surface of the oil, which shields the oil from the ambient air, and from which a flow of steam corresponding to an amount of water evaporating from the deep-fried foods is withdrawn.

Abstract: An extrusion and conditioning apparatus, with an extruder in a conveying position, leads into a conveyor housing connected in a sealed manner to a pneumatic supply line and to a pneumatic conveyor line in which extruded material can be removed pneumatically, by means of superheated steam, via the conveyor line. The extruder can be moved from the conveying position into a bypass position, in which the extruder leads to the exterior of the conveyor housing, having a means for sealing the supply and conveyor lines and the conveyor housing from the surroundings when the extruder is in the conveying and bypass positions.

Abstract: A pet food product for hairball treatment that includes a shell component completely surrounding an inner component to form one dual textured pet food product, wherein the shell component is harder than the inner component. The shell component can include a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber and can include at least one ingredient comprising a carbohydrate, fat, protein or combination thereof. The inner component comprises a mixture of ingredients, wherein the ingredients include a lubricant.