Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coextruded pet food compositions and/or to methods for producing the same. The disclosure provides, for example, a method for producing a pet food, comprising: (i) extruding a first composition from a first extruder through a die at a first rate of exit from the die; and (ii) extruding a second composition from a second extruder through the die at a second rate of exit from the die, wherein the first rate of exit from the die is higher than the second rate of exit from the die, to produce a coextruded pet food that comprises about 30% to about 50%, by weight, of the first composition and about 50% to about 70%, by weight, of the second composition. Moreover, the coextruded pet food compositions of the present disclosure may include, for example, at least about 3% cheese and/or at least about 5% bacon.

Abstract: A method of filling a container (30) with a liquid content (31), by ejecting a multilayer filler that includes a core layer of the fluid content and an outermost layer of a liquid while forming a film of the liquid between the inner wall of the container and the liquid content.

Abstract: An edible pet chew has an initially malleable sheet of a hardened chewable material dimensioned large enough and thin enough to be initially malleable for flexing, folding or rolling into a final shape. The sheet is shaped into a final shape by flexing, folding or rolling and then hardened.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a crab stick capable of saving costs accompanied by peeling off a film in businesses consuming a huge amount of crab sticks and reducing a generation of waste film providing a cause of environmental pollution by passing through and horizontally arranging plural strings of binding meats, which are wound in a bar shape, at a predetermined interval and covering upper and lower portions of the binding meats with a film and then packaging the covered binding meats by heat sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a functional engineered rice having alcoholism relief and liver protection functions for those drinking alcohol over an extended period of time or drinking alcohol excessively, and preparation method thereof. The engineered rice comprises six starting materials: coarse rice powder, isolated soy protein, kudzu root extract, corn oligopeptide, purple sweet potato powder, and hawthorn extract, and is prepared by: premixing the starting materials; employing a double screw extruder to conduct texturized processing and forming under high temperature and high pressure; and then drying, dedusting and packaging.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional chocolate structure is disclosed wherein a mold is formed from blown sugar. A liquid fat layer is deposited onto the interior of the blown sugar mold. The mold is then cooled such that the liquid fat layer hardens. One or more layers of molten chocolate are deposited over the hardened liquid fat layer and allowed to cool and harden. The mold is then broken or cut so as to expose the three-dimensional chocolate structure therein. A number of chocolate structures can be formed and joined so as to create a complex chocolate structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a co-attrited stabilizer composition comprising: a) microcrystalline cellulose in an amount of from 20%-90% by weight of the composition; b) a hydrocolloid in an amount of from 5%-50% by weight of the composition, wherein the hydrocolloid is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose having a degree of substitution of at least 0.95, pectin, alginate, carrageenan, xanthan gum, agar gum, wellan gum, or gellan gum; and c) a starch in an amount of from 5%-50% by weight of the composition, wherein the stabilizer composition has a gel strength (G?) of at least 25 Pa when measured after 24 hours in a 2.6% solids water dispersion at 20° C. The composition is useful as a stabilizer, particularly in food and beverage products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew toy comprising a first material including a body portion and one or more exposed regions comprising a second material, the material of the exposed regions at least partially occupying one or more blind holes in the body portion wherein the one or more blind holes may include an undercut or die locked condition to aid in retaining the second material. The chew may be formed via a number of molding methods including those utilizing injection molding or extrusion techniques. The first and second materials may comprise edible compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a panned confectionery product comprising a chocolate piece having a color adherent coating on a surface of the chocolate piece, wherein the coating comprises a color adherent coating solution selected from the group consisting of a chocolate polish and a confectionery glaze and at least one edible colorant adhered to the coating solution.

Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes a cooking medium tank for storing the cooking medium and a rotary valve including a rotary inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking medium tank. The rotary outlet further includes a plurality of rotary outlets including a first rotary outlet in fluid communication with a first cooking vessel and a second rotary outlet in fluid communication with a second cooking vessel. Moreover, the rotary valve is configured to selectively place the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets. In other embodiments, the system further includes a motor operatively connected to the rotary valve and configured to operate the rotary valve to select one of the plurality of rotary outlets.

Abstract: A system for producing food products may include an inner tube configured to extrude a first component, and an outer tube provided about the inner tube to define an annular space through which a second component is extruded, the inner and outer tubes (alone or in conjunction with a nozzle or other extrusion mechanism defining an outlet. Additionally, a collagen head can be configured to apply a layer of collagen gel over the second component. The inner and outer tubes are sized, and flow rate may be configured such that an initial diameter of the first component exiting the outlet is substantially smaller than a final diameter of the first component, and an initial thickness of the second component exiting the outlet is substantially greater than a final thickness of the second component.

Abstract: Ice for use in a beverage, wherein the ice comprises a core, an active zone, an external surface, and caffeine. The ice particle has a depth from each point of the external surface extending perpendicularly inwards. It also has a total particle mass. The caffeine in the ice particle has a total caffeine mass, and the ice particle has an ice caffeine concentration equal to the total caffeine mass divided by the total particle mass. The active zone includes at least 40% of the total caffeine mass and local caffeine concentrations of at least 150% of the ice caffeine concentration. At least 67% of the total caffeine mass is contained within a caffeine depth in millimeters from the external surface no greater than 1.06 times the cube root of the total particle mass in grams. The core has local caffeine concentrations of less than 150% of the ice caffeine concentration.

Abstract: A method for decorating a cake: providing a solid edible figure contour having an open top face and an open bottom face, and at least one void; providing a solid edible frame; placing the contour and the frame on a pan; filling the at least one void of the solid edible figure contour and a void between the solid frame and the solid edible figure contour with a decorative layer of edible pourable substance comprising multiple colors of candies, and the like; pouring a solidifying binding edible substance onto the solid contour, frame and the decorative layer; turning the hardened solid coating upside down, such that the lid is under the hardened solid coating; and placing the hardened solid coating having the colorful figure on a cake by sliding the figure off of the lid and removing the pan, thereby providing a cake coating having an edible colorful figure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an edible swirl imparting carrier for flavor or color or flavor and color. The edible carrier comprises a coating effective for imparting a color in a viscous or visco-elastic matrix when moved in the matrix. The present invention also includes a method for imparting a swirl of color in a viscous or visco-elastic medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-colored baked cake cone typically for holding ice cream or other confection novelties. This cone is made of a dough bi-layer that includes at least a first layer of a conventional cake dough that contains sugar and a second layer of a modified cake dough that imparts at least one color other than brown to the cone after baking. The cone is typically associated with a sleeve that is at least partially transparent to display the multicolor cone.

Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products such as ice creams, whipped cream, yogurt and the like comprises a container for a basic product of the consumer food product, a feed and treatment circuit for the basic product, comprising a feed pump, dispensing means positioned at an outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit, and a device for checking the bacterial load of the product during production/dispensing; an electronic control unit controlling and regulating the various steps for measuring the bacterial load.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative baked good and a product made by the method is presented. The method includes mixing a plurality of different color batters to a desired enhanced batter thickness, distributing the plurality of different color batters in multiple layers of different color multiple adjacent color segments to form a decorative batter arrangement in accordance with a pattern, and baking the decorative batter arrangement. The decorative baked good includes a plurality of layers of different color multiple adjacent color segments formed from a plurality of different color batters of a desired enhanced batter thickness in accordance with a pattern.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for, the manufacture of chocolate products formed from chocolate of at least two colours, where mould assemblies arranged with mould cavities in columns and rows are advanced under a filling head which fills the mould cavities in a row, advances the mould assemblies and vibrates the mould assemblies to release any air trapped in the mould cavities. The mould cavities are provided in mould plates formed from acrylic sheet material, enabling chocolates of a wide range of shapes/sizes to be manufactured, where the chocolates may have sharp edges for added aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frozen confectionery product and to a method of manufacturing same. It furthermore relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a frozen confectionery product by rotary vertical extrusion. Said apparatus comprises a nozzle at least one ice cream passage with at least one inlet port and an outlet portion, and at least one chocolate passage with respectively an inlet port and an outlet port. The outlet ports are provided in the nozzle and have elongated cross-sections, and each chocolate outlet port extends in parallel to an ice cream outlet port, so as to form annular or helical chocolate layers upon rotation of the nozzle and the container with respect to each other.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus used for filling and decorating of foods, comprising in some embodiments a one-piece, funnel-shaped bag with a soft side wall, having an open first end at the “top” through which food material and coloring agents can be inserted into the bag and a closed second end at the “bottom” end of the funnel, with an integral, malleable, conical shaped, discharge orifice. The orifice may have serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice, running longitudinally or parallel to the cone axis. The orifice may be initially closed or manufactured with a small opening. The orifice may be made of a material capable of being cut to yield an exit opening. The inwardly extending serrations that remain after a cut may insure that the material is “treated” as it is expelled from the bag through the orifice to yield a ribbon candy design.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a candy in which a crystalline candy containing xylitol and a noncrystalline sugar-free candy are combined and, particularly, the crystalline candy and the noncrystalline sugar-free candy are combined side-by-side and the junction part has a continuous, smooth and novel appearance and texture; and a technique for efficiently producing the same. A flowable crystalline candy dough, containing as carbohydrate, 66 to 99% by weight of xylitol and 34 to 1% by weight of another sugar alcohol and a flowable noncrystalline sugar-free candy dough are simultaneously deposited.

Abstract: An expandable starch-based component is extruded through a random extruder together with a colored component having a color unlike that of said starch-based component. The starch-based component may include cereal grains such as rice or corn meal or components derived therefrom. The colored component may include colored starches such as blue corn meal; seeds; and/or micropellets made from fine particle ingredients. When combined, the components form a color-comprising mixture that can be extruded into colored or colorful collets. The color-comprising mixture comprises between about 2% to about 10% colored component. The produced bi-colored collets may then be cooked, optionally seasoned and packaged for consumption.

Abstract: A confectionery product comprises an extruded body portion having a plurality of conduits disposed therein. The extruded body portion is substantially transparent, the conduits contain a visually contrasting material, and different conduits comprise different colored substances and/or comprise substances which may vary in colour along the length of the conduits. The visually contrasting material in the conduits can comprise a reflective material and/or a luminescent material and/or a material which is able to change colour upon variations in pH and/or temperature. Methods of producing the confectionery product are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frozen confectionery product and to a method of manufacturing same. It furthermore relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a frozen confectionery product by rotary vertical extrusion. Said apparatus comprises a nozzle (14) at least one ice-cream passage (20, 22) with at least one inlet port (24, 26) and an outlet port (28), and at least one chocolate passage (30, 32) with respectively an inlet port (34, 36) and an outlet port (38, 38?). The outlet ports are provided in the nozzle (14) and have elongated cross-sections, and each chocolate outlet port (38, 38?) extends in parallel to an ice cream outlet port (28), so as to form annular or helical chocolate layers upon rotation of the nozzle and the container with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for spraying a food product is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of disposing a first sprayer along an axis defining, at least in part, a path of movement for a food product. The method also includes the step of disposing a second sprayer along the axis axially and radially spaced from the first sprayer. The method also includes the step of directly communicating with the first and second sprayers disposed along the axis with a cavity operable to receive edible ink such that the first and second sprayers concurrently spray the edible ink to the axis.

Abstract: A method to produce a multi-characteristic dough sheet and the resultant food piece having distinct characteristic zones. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the dough sheeting system involves sheeting a first dough component, extruding into pellets a second dough component, sprinkling the pellets onto the sheeted first dough component, and combining the two dough components in a second sheeting step. The resultant composite dough sheet maintains distinct dough component zones. This resultant dough sheet is then cut into individual food pieces, which are further processed to produce a unique edible snack, such as a marbled cracker or multi-color chip or crisp.

Abstract: A color coat is formed on a hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by placing at least one hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, preferably having an uncolored sugar surface, in functional association with an ink-jet head, applying at least a portion of a color coat to the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by ink-jet printing at least one edible ink onto the surface of the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, and drying the color coat. The hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery may be transported and/or stored prior to the application of the color coat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated snack product, and to a method for the preparation thereof. According to the invention, a snack product is prepared by coating a core with a least two coating layers, while a coating layer of a dough material located further inwards expands more strongly than an outer coating layer; the outer coating layer is broken on a part of the surface of the core; thereupon, the thus coated core is heated.

Abstract: Pet food products and methods of manufacture are provided, the pet food product comprising a helical body having a first material formed to include an outer surface, and a second material having a striping portion deposited on the outer surface of the first material and positioned to lie along a length of the first material, the pet food product optionally having a stuffing portion positioned within a cavity in the first material. Illustratively, the second material has a composition that provides lubrication during an extrusion process to manufacture the food product.

Abstract: A color image may be applied onto a substantially planar carrier, and the carrier may be deformed to form a non-planar relief mold of a three-dimensional image, including deforming the color image whereby the deformed color image is proportionate relative to, i.e., is in register with, the three-dimensional image. A comestible material, e.g., chocolate, may be deposited into the relief mold to substantially overlie the color image. The comestible material may be removed from the relief mold, with the color image applied thereto. In one implementation, the color image may be applied to the substantially planar carrier by screen printing one or more colors forming the color image onto the carrier using an edible ink composition.

Abstract: Center-filled confectionery products and methods of making center-filled confectionery products are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a confectionery product comprising a hard confectionery shell surrounding a filling. The confectionery shell comprises a plurality of segments having different colors. The filling is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a paste, a powder, a hard confectionery and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A gelatin based substrate containing a milk based product and gelatin substrate mixture is poured into the mold and chilled until set forming a first gelatin and milk based substrate layer which is paintable with oil based or water based edible paint. A second layer is prepared comprising a selected second gelatin or gelatin containing flavored ingredients such as fruit or berries or combinations thereof which is spooned over the first gel and milk based substrate layer to form a bi-layer or multi-layer low calorie dessert product. The multi-layered product is chilled in the mold until set and then inverted in order to remove the mold leaving the first gel and milk based substrate as the top layer of the finished dessert product which may be painted with oil or water based edible coloring agent including an edible paint, edible dye, edible water soluble ink, and combinations thereof. The oil or water based edible paint does not bleed or dissolve in the water based gelatin and milk based substrate.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat cereal that is capable of changing color upon immersion into an aqueous medium such as milk. The cereal base has a non-dispersible first color. The cereal base has a coating comprising cornstarch, powdered sugar, and optionally food coloring. The coating is of a second color different from the first color and is in a quantity sufficient to obscure the first color. Preferably, glycerine is used to adhere the coating to the cereal base. Two methods of making the ready-to-eat cereal of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for manufacturing candy using one or more molds and/or stencils, which comprises the steps of filling a measured amount of a first candy mass into a first mold or stencil portion and filling a measured amount of at least a second mixture comprising a candy mass into a second mold or stencil portion. The invention also discloses a product and process to manufacture candy by forming a candy billet and reducing the cross section of said moldable billet such that features in the candy billet appear in a similar arrangement in the resulting extruded product.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for the storage and deposition of a plurality of liquid food components to a mold, said apparatus including: a deposition mechanism for intermittently depositing predetermined quantities of said plurality of liquid food components to said mold, said mechanism having a plurality of individual deposition points; a plurality of liquid food storage vessels, each having an outlet adapted to supply an individual liquid food component to said deposition mechanism; and a plurality of arrayed liquid food supply galleries extending from said liquid food storage vessels to said deposition mechanism, thereby to facilitate flow of said food components to said deposition points; where in said plurality of liquid food storage vessels are each equipped with an elongate outlet, said outlet being adapted to allow said liquid food to flow substantially directly into each supply gallery along that inlet region; and wherein there is provided a means for selectively allowing or preventing flow of the content

Abstract: A pet food product is produced having a colored exterior that simulates the appearance of real meat that has been imparted a marinated or grilled appearance. The product may be manufactured using a vegetarian (meat free) formulation or a formulation combining meat with dry proteinaceous materials. The ingredients are processed to form an emulsion-like mixture, which is rapidly heated in a confined zone to allow the protein to coagulate. An injector/shredder assembly is positioned in the zone to disrupt and shred the coagulated product mass and inject a colorant. The colorant adheres to some of the exterior surfaces of the final product to create a simulated grilled or roasted appearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing system and method for on-demand dispensing of spoonable or drinkable food products in a container. Single servings or larger portions of these products can be dispensed. The system and method achieve dispensing of the product with a visual differentiation of the components in the container. The container may be translucent or transparent so that the consumer can view the visually differentiated product therein. The products form yet another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A process for producing a food product with multicolored decorative pattern, including introducing two or more colored fluid food materials in a single mold so as to attain formation of various patterns/configurations. In the filling of two or more colored fluid food materials in the mold through injection, neighboring materials after the injection of the two or more colored fluid food materials collide with and compete with each other so as to develop various linear borderlines. Thus, there is provided a process for producing a food with multicolored pattern.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of a chocolate product having a colored image imprinted thereon. The method comprises providing a substrate with a non-stick surface, depositing a food-color-receiving emulsion on the substrate, printing on the emulsion with ink-jet food grade colors, depositing melted chocolate on the printed emulsion in a mold, and allowing said molded chocolate to cool. The printed image transfers to said chocolate with said emulsion and the outcome is a chocolate product with the colored image imprinted thereon.

Abstract: Cubes for preparing bouillon, broth, soup, sauce or seasoning which cubes are prepared by compressing a matrix material and granules having a different colour than the matrix. Such cubes can have a marbled appearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated snack product, and to a method for the preparation thereof. According to the invention, a snack product is prepared by coating a core with a least two coating layers, while a coating layer of a dough material located further inwards expands more strongly than an outer coating layer; the outer coating layer is broken on a part of the surface of the core; thereupon, the thus coated core is heated.

Abstract: An extruder die assembly and method for using same is disclosed that may be adapted to a wide variety of commercial-grade extrusion devices common in the food industry. The disclosed method comprises extruding a known composition of a farinaceous food product through the extruder die assembly of the present invention to produce a flavored direct-expanded food product exhibiting enhanced flavor characteristics, but requiring no post-extrusion drying or seasoning process. The injection section of the extruder die assembly is used to impart flavoring additives into the extrudate mass shortly before expansion, thereby preserving the flavoring characteristics of the additive by minimizing the heat exposure of the flavoring additive. The extruder die assembly may also include static mixing elements downstream from the injection section to homogenize the flavoring or seasoning media into the flowing mass of extrudate.

Abstract: A food product, preferably a food ingredient in the form of dye, pigment or similar colorant in a random pattern in refrigerated yogurt, is produced by supplying the food ingredient through a supply tube (82) extending through an injection tube (80) and into a fill pipe (78) and a fill tube (28). In the preferred form, an elongated tubular member is formed around the fill tube (28) from a strip (20) of flexible material, with top and bottom seals being formed by a forming station (36). In the preferred form, the injection tube (80) extends at an angle to the fill pipe (78) such that the supply tube (82) formed of stainless steel is generally linearly straight. The fill pipe (78) includes seal flanges (78a, 78b) allowing its removal from the food material supply tubing (68) and the fill tube (28) to allow conventional cleaning of the remaining components of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A multilayer structure produced by piling a plurality of laminated cheese foods. Each of the plurality of laminated cheese foods of the multilayer structure has at least three layers. The food with at least three layers includes two external layers of platy food material containing cheese which have inherent releasability from external layers of adjoining ones of the plurality of laminated cheese foods when piled into a multiplayer structure. An intermediate layer of platy food material, which may be formed of a plurality of intermediate layers of platy food material inherently bond together, is disposed between two external layers of each cheese food, the intermediate layer being inherently bonded to the two external layers of each cheese food.

Abstract: A dual bowl ice cream maker and method for selectively driving one or two mixing bowls, each mixing bowl in a separate mixing compartment, without requiring manipulation of either mixing bowl.

Abstract: Fluid food materials which solidify when cooled are quantitatively supplied successively at a certain thickness in a plate form on cooling and carrying sides; of two cooling and carrying devices, cooled while being carried to form two monolayer platy food materials, and the two platy food materials are bonded and united making use of the surface not yet completely cooled and solidified of the monolayer platy food materials, and thereby producing a layered laminated cheese food and the like consisting of two layers.

Abstract: A chocolate confectionery is disclosed having on a surface thereof a chocolate base layer, a non-delaminating integral substantially white or light colored edible image-substrate coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the chocolate base layer and a high resolution edible black and/or colored print image disposed on at least a portion of the edible image-substrate coating. A method is also disclosed for preparing the confectionery.

Abstract: An extruder die assembly and method for using same is disclosed which is designed for adaptation to a wide variety of commercial-grade extrusion devices common in the food industry. The extruder die assembly is inserted into an appropriate compartment within an extrusion device such that a first extrudate is directed down a coaxially aligned passageway within the forming section and combined with a fluid additive in the injection section whereupon the resulting food mass is compressed through a converging nozzle bore in the nozzle section to produce an extruded food product. The forming section and injection section are fabricated as a matching set. A novel feature of the invention is an injection nozzle which supplies fluid additives from an exterior pressurized source to a supply port formed in the extruder die assembly. The subject injection nozzle exhibits superior sealing qualities in conjunction with simplicity and flexibility.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered, dessert product, such as a pudding product, made from a gel having a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed colloidal oil phase. The dessert product has at least one layer that contains a natural, oil soluble colorant, preferably dispersed in the oil phase. The products are formed of a layer containing a first colorant and an adjacent layer containing a second, different colorant. The multi-layered gel-based dessert products are made by introducing a gel-based dessert product containing the first colorant into the bottom of a transparent container to form a first layer and then introducing additional gel-based product containing the second colorant into the container to form a second layer on top to the first. The resulting multi-layer product exhibits reduced color migration between the two layers.

Abstract: A confectionery product comprising chocolate or a fat-containing confectionery material together with a chewy sweet component having a base of a continuous syrup comprising a solution of sugars, sugar substitutes and/or glucose syrups in water characterised in that the confectionery product comprises a chocolate matrix having veins or strands of chewy sweet dispersed throughout.