Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a system for marking tablet-shaped articles. The system includes a hopper and a conveyor. The conveyor has opposing first and second side portions, and at least one pocket is defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions. The conveyor is configured to receive from the hopper a tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. A first window is defined in the first side portion of the conveyor. The first window defining an opening between the pocket and an external environment. The system further includes a first printing head adjacent the first side portion of the conveyor. The first printing head is configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the first window.

Abstract: The relationship between the smell or taste of an object and the expression of the smell or taste can be grasped, and the user can grasp what smell or taste they prefer. In the single-sample display mode, a system displays a group of expressions relating to the olfactory sense stimulated by a sample, and if any expression is selected by the user, the system displays a relationship image indicating the relationship between the selected expression and other samples corresponding to the olfactory sense associated with the expression. In addition, in the multiple-sample display mode, the system displays, for each of plural samples, a group of expressions relating to the sense of smell stimulated by each sample, and displays an expression common to plural samples among the group of expressions.

Abstract: A method and device of providing a customized drink and/or printing on a drink.

Abstract: A method and device of providing a customized drink and/or printing on a drink.

Abstract: A method for inversion counting or phlebotomist monitoring can include identifying, by processing circuitry, whether a blood collection tube is present in image data from a camera situated to capture images of a phlebotomist collecting a sample, in response to identifying the blood collection tube is present in the field of view of the camera based on the image data, identifying whether the blood collection tube includes blood therein, after identifying the blood is present in the blood collection tube, counting, based on the image data, a number of inversions performed on the blood collection tube, and in response to determining the number of inversions performed is less than a required number of inversions, issuing an alert indicating that insufficient inversions were performed.

Abstract: A packaging assembly including a sealing station for sealing a product with at least one film web, wherein a printer is provided upstream of the sealing station and configured to print information, in particular a product weight and an associated retail price, onto the film web or onto a label, which may already be present on the film web, wherein, upstream of the sealing station, a forward weighing device is provided and configured to detect a weight value of a product and forward it to a control unit. The packaging assembly is characterized in that the control unit controls the printer for printing-on the information depending on the detected weight value, and that, downstream of the sealing station, at least a first inspection device is provided to read the information on the imprint. A method for making the packaging assembly is also included.

Abstract: A system for the automated coating of baked good with a water based icing is provided. In particular, a system for the automated movement of icing and controls of variables such as temperature, moisture, and/or flow rate of the icing is provided to maintain the characteristics of the icing for extended periods of operation of an associated coating system.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to decorating and printing of an edible design on a printable base media based on a user selected image. A central control device may provide, to a remote computing device, a graphical user interface for reviewing images, receive, from the remote computing device via the graphical user interface, selection of an image, generate print data based on the selected image, and transmit the print data to the remote computing device for printing with an edible media printer equipped with edible ink.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the printhead. At least one collapsible membrane is attached to the shuttle mount. The membrane forms an airtight sack filled with granules. The membrane collapses at least partially around an object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the membrane by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump withdrawing a volume of air from the membrane causes the membrane to collapse and tightly pack the granules inside the membrane. The vacuum-packed granules cause the membrane to conform to the shape of the object thereby securing the object to the shuttle mount.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional (3D) printing edible objects, the system including: a first 3D printer including: a first processor; one or more cartridges for storing ingredients used in printing a 3D printed edible object, a plurality of extruders for extruding the ingredients during printing of the 3D printed edible object and a plurality of relays coupled to the plurality of extruders. A first cartridge stores a first ingredient while a second cartridge stores a second ingredient that may be different from the first ingredient. A first extruder extrudes the first ingredient and a second extruder extrudes the second ingredient in a synchronized motion. A first subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the first extruder and a second subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the second extruder.

Abstract: A 3D printing device, which is adapted to print a second object on a first object. The 3D printing device includes a body, a 3D printing unit, a sensor unit, a storage unit, a control unit and a carrier plate. The control unit is electrically connected to the 3D printing unit, the storage unit and the sensor unit. The storage unit stores initial coordinates, and the initial coordinates correspond to an initial printing position of the 3D printing unit. The carrier plate is located at a bottom of the body and has a ocular mark. The first object is adapted to be placed on the carrier plate. The sensor unit senses a height of the first object relative to the carrier plate, and the control unit drives the 3D printing unit to print the second object on the first object according to the height and the initial coordinates.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently dispose a good coloring layer without any pigment bleeding/irregularity on the surface of the food product during cooking a meat product. The present invention provides a pigment transfer sheet for foods having a heat-resistant and water-resistant substrate and a transferable transfer coloring layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the transfer coloring layer contains a water-soluble pigment and at least one binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: A food delivery system includes a wrapper, a top bun, a beef patty, a slice of cheese, and a bottom bun. The beef patty has a bottom surface that is adjacent to a bottom portion of an internal surface of the wrapper. The slice of cheese is melted between a bottom surface of the top bun and a top surface of the beef patty. The bottom bun has a bottom surface that is adjacent to a top surface of the top bun and a top surface that is adjacent to a top portion of the internal surface of the wrapper. The wrapper is wrapped to form an enclosed package containing in sequential order the bottom bun, the top bun, the slice of cheese, and the beef patty.

Abstract: A process of producing printed decorations includes providing a gumpaste mixture, creating a plurality of blanks from the mixture, arranging the plurality of blanks onto a platen of a printer, printing a pattern on the plurality of blanks, after the printing, removing the plurality of blanks from the platen, and forming each blank of the plurality of blanks into a shape of a decoration.

Abstract: A preservation system for storage and logistic transport of nutritional substances. The preservation system obtains information about the nutritional substance to be preserved, senses and measures the external environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the internal environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the state of the nutritional substance, and stores such information throughout the period of preservation. Using this accumulated information, the preservation system can measure, or estimate, changes in nutritional content (usually degradation) during the period of preservation. Additionally, the preservation system can use this information to dynamically modify the preservation system to minimize detrimental changes to the nutritional content of the nutritional substance, and in some cases actually improve the nutritional substance attributes.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the selection of a pet food based on the nutrient sources. A first pet food product and a second pet food product can be provided. Each pet food product can be put in a package and each package can have a primary nutrient source region with protein source indicia and a secondary nutrient region with secondary nutrient source indicium. The protein source indicia on the first and second package can be different. The primary source region and the secondary source region can comprise great than about 50% of the area of the front side of the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage. The capsule includes first and second covering walls connected at a peripheral seam for forming a cavity containing a beverage ingredient, and a contactless element for identifying the capsule by detecting means of a beverage producing device. The identifying element is oriented along its longer dimension substantially orthogonally relative to the transversal plane passing along the seam of the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting and. recovering nucleic acids. This method may be applied in a verification method of products using molecular code systems or it may be applied in a storage method for nucleic acids. The invention further provides specific particles, their use in secure marking; products suitable for such verification method, to processes for manufacturing such products and methods for reading the information.

Abstract: A system and method for a beverage container configured to test for a contaminated beverage in the beverage container comprises a base of the beverage container, an upper portion of the beverage container, and a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface that extends from the base to the upper portion, and a testing material. A portion of the beverage container is the testing material configured to visibly react when the portion of the beverage container is contacted with the contaminated beverage.

Abstract: A system and method for printing on a food item is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for printing on a food item can comprise a food item, one or more edible sheets, and an edible adhesive. The edible sheet can be printable with a design. The edible adhesive can attach the edible sheet onto the food item. In another embodiment, a method for printing on a food item can comprise the steps printing a design on a surface of an edible sheet, and connecting the edible sheet to one or more surfaces of a food item using an edible adhesive.

Abstract: An imprinted lollipop has one or more symbols imprinted on the stick portion of the lollipop and one or more symbols imprinted on the candy portion of the lollipop. The candy portion may be covered with an opaque or partially opaque wrapping to mask the imprint on the candy portion.

Abstract: A novel system, machines and consumables, and method for preparation of cooled edible products from their ingredients, e.g. in a portioned amount constituting a defined number of servings which may be 1, 2, 3, etc. are provided. One example of such an edible product is ice cream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying images to food items, such as toast, includes a controllable at least one controllable heating elements directed to as to be disposed along a surface of an associated food item. The heating element is controllable along the surface in accordance with stored image data to apply the image to a food item. Image data is receivable from a data device such as a smart phone, tablet or computer either via a direct data connection or via a wide area network such as the Internet. Images are retrievable in accordance with payment or sponsorship.

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: Artisan food packages and methods of packaging are described. The artisan food package includes an artisan food product cut into individualized portions and packaged in a manner to maximize freshness and shelf life. It is further handled and shipped in a way to further protect the product's freshness and shelf life. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the purchaser can receive an artisan food product that is typically only served in bulk quantities. This allows the purchaser to enjoy products that may not be practical to purchase in bulk quantities due to spoilage. Additionally, the systems and methods provide the purchaser with the option to diversify and purchase several different artisan food products in small, individualized portions simultaneously without incurring the significant costs associated with purchasing bulk quantities of all of the artisan food products separately.

Abstract: A system and method for a beverage container configured to test for a contaminated beverage in the beverage container comprises a base of the beverage container, an upper portion of the beverage container, and a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface that extends from the base to the upper portion, and a testing material. A portion of the beverage container is the testing material configured to visibly react when the portion of the beverage container is contacted with the contaminated beverage.

Abstract: A frozen pizza preparation package and method includes a prebaked frozen pizza, microwave-crisping sequence instructions that instruct sequential steps of heating the prebaked frozen pizza in a microwave oven followed by crisping the crust using a crisping appliance, and a unifying container incorporating the prebaked frozen pizza and the sequence instructions.

Abstract: An imprinter for creating impressions of designs in media such as buttercream, fondant, gum paste, modeling dough, and cookie dough for decoration. The imprinter includes a retainer having a retainer body and at least one retaining portion and a lock configured to be received by the retainer. The lock has a lock retaining portion engageable with the retaining portion of the retainer to selectably secure the lock to the retainer.

Abstract: Printing on delicate surfaces, such as flowable food products, is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesive labels for use in food safety labeling systems and methods of using the adhesive labels to enhance food safety and food rotation.

Abstract: A food safety device for placement on a product is disclosed. The food safety device comprises one or more sensors that measure at least one condition of the product and/or its environment, one or more visual indicators that are configured to display a visual indication of freshness and/or safety of the product. An antenna transmits and receives data regarding the at least one measured condition of the product and the freshness and/or safety of the product. A logic module executes programmable logic to determine the freshness and/or safety of the product from the at least one measured condition of the product, to cause the one or more visual indicators to display a visual indication of the freshness and/or safety it determines, and to transmit and receive data regarding the at least one measured condition of the product and the freshness and/or safety of the product via the antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously searing and/or branding the surface of and continuously cooking a food product wherein the cooking oven is different from the searing and/or branding apparatus. At least a portion of the vapor product produced in the searing and/or branding apparatus is preferably delivered into the oven such that the food product is cooked in an environment comprising the vapor product from the searing and/or branding apparatus. The vapor extraction rate from the searing and/or branding apparatus is also preferably controlled to maintain a desired vapor product temperature in or flowing from the searing and/or branding apparatus.

Abstract: A sandwich-sized shaped potato products adapted for presentation and use as either a hot garnish, such as suggestive of a pile of mashed french fries on a hamburger sandwich, or as a meat substitute in a sandwich, and the sandwiches made therewith.

Abstract: An edible sticker including an edible paper, an edible ink, and an edible compound on at least a portion of the edible paper. The edible compound includes one selected from a nutrient, a supplement, a medicine, a mineral, a flavoring, a vitamin, and combinations thereof. A method of providing nutrients to a child using the edible sticker, a method of manufacturing the edible sticker, and a system for manufacturing the edible sticker have also been disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeve is disclosed for adornment and decoration of a baked good, including reshaping, to produce an appearance other than that of the original baked good. The sleeve may be constructed of a mineral-based substrate including a graphic on an outer surface.

Abstract: A nozzle panel for holding bakery accessories comprising a flat panel base, a plurality of panel protrusions integral with the panel base and at least one bakery accessory attachable to the panel protrusions on the panel base. The panel protrusion includes a lip engagable with a bakery nozzle. The panel protrusion lip may be an interrupted helical thread attached to the panel protrusion, at least one nozzle engagable with the panel protrusion by twisting the nozzle relative to the panel base less than 360° . The nozzle may include an inwardly extending interrupted helical thread adjacent a bottom edge of the nozzle and may be rotatably engagable with the interrupted thread of panel protrusion. The nozzle panel may include at least one container attachable to the panel protrusion. The container may be cylindrical and include an opening at one end and a removable lid engagable with the opening.

Abstract: A method for processing a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises adjusting a position of one or more of the eggs, after the eggs have been placed in the package, so that each of the eggs assumes a particular orientation within the package. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise marking information on a surface of one or more of the eggs after the position of the one or more of the eggs has been adjusted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the position of the one or more eggs may be adjusted using an egg orienter positioned above a conveyor of an egg packing station.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a soft food container may be refillable with an interchangeable nozzle system. A base 104 may have a resealable opening 142 to receive a soft food product. A nozzle opening 302 may receive a food nozzle. A pressure release nozzle 352 may disperse the soft food product. A pliable shell may connect the base 104 to the nozzle opening 302.

Abstract: Various shapes, sizes and colors of candy pieces can be serially interlinked into a garland of at least three pieces, using first and second spaced apart concave regions of the candy pieces. Each of the regions preferably measures at least one inch in length and has an inner portion. At least two of the candy pieces can be combined with a decorative background or card in a package.

Abstract: A reinforced edible image-substrate for decorating foodstuffs capable of having high-resolution images printed thereon and also capable of retaining multi-dimensional shapes is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the reinforced edible image-substrate includes an edible paper base layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and an edible image-substrate coating disposed on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the edible paper base layer. It is an object of the reinforced edible image-substrate disclosed herein to be capable of accepting high-resolution images, to be sufficiently stiff to retain multi-dimensional shapes without collapsing, and also to be sufficiently flexible to be capable of being bent, folded, and/or creased while maintaining sufficient integrity to retain desired multi-dimensional shapes.

Abstract: Vase apparatus and decorating methods for associating flowers and other decorative items with cakes and other food products are described. Vase embodiments include a water-holding reservoir having a bottom wall, an upright rim, and plural flower-stem-receiving wells. Each well is defined by at least one well wall depending from the bottom wall and has an opening capable of receiving water from the reservoir. Vase embodiments may include a reservoir of various shapes and sizes. Vases may be placed on a cake or other food product permitting the cake or food product to be attractively and easily decorated.

Abstract: A solid food product is molded in a mold cavity and is thereafter packaged in the mold cavity. The mold cavity is formed in a sheet and includes a side wall which extends from the sheet and a bottom wall which includes an inverting portion which extends from said side wall and a central portion. The central potion of the bottom wall includes a plurality of ridges which form a decorative design. A liquid food product is introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify to form a molded solid food product. The central portion of the bottom wall is thereafter pushed into the mold cavity to invert said inverting potion and to push the molded food product away from the central portion of the bottom wall. The molded food product includes ridges which correspond to the ridges in the bottom wall of the mold cavity. A lid is attached to the sheet to enclose and package the molded food product within the mold cavity.

Abstract: The self-making bread method includes: weighing a certain amount of ingredients according to a bread recipe and placing them in a bread ingredient box; putting the bread ingredient box into the corresponding containing region of the top portion of the bread machine; using the jagged ring of the bottom portion of said containing region to open the thin film of the bottom portion of the bread ingredient box, so the ingredients will fall into the mixing container in the bread machine; controlling the water delivering mechanism inside the bread machine to deliver a certain amount of water into said mixing container; starting the mixing device inside the bread machine, which mixes the ingredients into an appropriate dough; turning off the mixing device; energizing the electric heating tube in the bread machine, to bake the dough inside the mixing container into bread.

Abstract: A method of making edible substrates that have an image registered on them in a consistent manner. The method comprises the steps of providing an edible substrate sheet, and an image source, wherein the image source has at least one image. Further, a trigger pulse signal is provided, which relays the frequency of a process element that is communicated to an image disposal device. The image disposal device uses the trigger pulse signal to determine when to dispose an image from the image source. Then an image is disposed on the edible substrate sheet with the image disposal device to form an image-disposed edible substrate sheet. And then a portion of the edible substrate sheet that comprises an image is separated into an individual piece.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide an all-natural soft and dry food in one products for pets, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to an embodiment herein, the food product comprises a hard outer shell made up of animal-based protein with a moisture content of 10-15% and a soft and highly moist inner core. The soft and dry food meets the health requirement of pets as they have naturally evolved to ingest and digest foods by providing teeth cleaning attributes, maintaining proper sugar, glycemic levels etc. The soft and dry food eliminates the need for adding wet canned food to make the pet to consume the food. The soft and dry food provides inherent palatability and moisture content. The manufacturing process comprises pre-processing, conditioning and extrusion, drying, cooling, enrobing and finally packaging finished product. In the drying step, the extruded food sample is subjected to three-step heating cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for baking a food product. The method includes filling a plurality of filling a plurality of molds of a first piece of the baking apparatus with the food product, positioning a second piece of the baking apparatus over the first piece, engaging an alignment mechanism of the first piece and the second piece, heating the baking apparatus for a predetermined period of time, and removing the baking apparatus from heat.

Abstract: A method of marking fruits includes an incision in a fruit piece surface with a laser beam and the deposition in the superficial incision of a contrast agent comprising salts or oxides of iron or copper at a concentration between 0.001% and 1% of the total weight. The salts or oxides are capable of reacting with any of the phenolic and/or polyphenolic compounds present in the superficial tissues of the fruit. This contrast agent may also include other additives: acidity regulators, emulsifiers, antioxidants and complexing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of printing high resolution images on edible substrates with dispersed pigmented inks using a drop-on-demand ink-jet printer. Dispersed pigmented white inks useful with the inventive methods are also disclosed. White images having a resolution greater than 200 dpi can be printed on chocolate using the methods and inks disclosed herein. The inventive methods and inks may also be integrated with a consumer-driven site vending or e-commerce application in which the consumer provides the image to be printed and edibles bearing the printed image are prepared for rapid turnaround.

Abstract: A food piece with a first dough sheet having a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first peripheral edge. The food piece also includes a second dough sheet having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first peripheral edge of the first dough sheet is joined together with the second peripheral edge of the second dough sheet to define a perimeter. The food piece also includes an embossment positioned within the perimeter. The embossment extends upon at least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface and includes at least one line along which the first and second dough sheets are joined.