Abstract: An imitation cheese composition containing moisture, preferably in an amount that is at least 60% by weight, a hydrocolloid, a cheese-derived component in an amount less than about 15% by weight of the composition, cheese flavoring that is natural or artificial and an acidulents in an amount that causes a pH of the composition to be not greater than 4.6. The composition is sufficiently firm such that it can be at least one of sliced, cut, shredded or grated. Preferably, no more than 1% protein is present, and/or the acidulent is in a total titrateable amount of less than 1.5% by weight of the composition, resulting in an imitation cheese having a flavor, texture and consistency that was only previously attainable in a pasturized process cheese product.

Abstract: An acidified imitation cheese sauce or pudding is prepared comprising a thickener, an acidulant in an amount not grater than about 0.5% equivalents of glacial acetic by weight of the composition, and a protein in an amount of less than 1% by weight of the composition. The acidified composition has a pH of not more than 4.6, moisture in an amount of at least about 55% by weight of the composition, a moisture phase acidity level of not more than about 1.5%, and organoleptic properties similar to a low acid cheese sauce or low acid pudding. Methods for the preparation of the acidified composition are also provided herein.

Abstract: A modular dual-beam source, sample compartment and beam-combining system are provided when used with a monochromator and detector to form a spectrophotometer consisting of: (a) a source module where two ellipsoidal mirrors each produce an image of the light source, and (b) a reflecting sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, of the four plane mirrors, three are reference and one is the sample, or (c) a transmission sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, and a sample is placed between one pair of plane-mirrors, and (d) a beam-combining module wherein the source images are imaged by a second pair of ellipsoidal mirrors on a reflective chopper that combines the images at a single location that is imaged, external to the module, by another mirror, each module being kinematically located with respect to each other so the system remains optically aligned as modules are interchanged.

Abstract: A modular dual-beam source, sample compartment and beam-combining system are provided when used with a monochromator and detector to form a spectrophotometer consisting of: (a) a source module where two ellipsoidal mirrors each produce an image of the light source, and (b) a reflecting sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, of the four plane mirrors, three are reference and one is the sample, or (c) a transmission sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, and a sample is placed between one pair of plane-mirrors, and (d) a beam-combining module wherein the source images are imaged by a second pair of ellipsoidal mirrors on a reflective chopper that combines the images at a single location that is imaged, external to the module, by another mirror, each module being kinematically located with respect to each other so the system remains optically aligned as modules are interchanged.

Abstract: An imitation cheese composition containing moisture, preferably in an amount that is at least 60% by weight, a hydrocolloid, a cheese-derived component in an amount less than about 15% by weight of the composition, cheese flavoring that is natural or artificial and an acidulents in an amount that causes a pH of the composition to be not greater than 4.6. The composition is sufficiently firm such that it can be at least one of sliced, cut, shredded or grated. Preferably, no more than 1% protein is present, and/or the acidulent is in a total titrateable amount of less than 1.5% by weight of the composition, resulting in an imitation cheese having a flavor, texture and consistency that was only previously attainable in a pasturized process cheese product.

Abstract: The invention is of a method of and means for playing a sports game of chance comprising, according to the embodiment described, a playing board and a predetermined number of chips. The playing board, according to the described embodiment, lists the vast number of options possible during each play of a specific sporting event. The overall goal of each individual player consists of guessing the proper result of each play or sequence of plays prior to its occurrence, placing chips on the corresponding square, and winning the number of chips times the odds shown on that particular square, if that play or sequence does occur. The game continues until one player has won all the available chips.