Abstract: An ice-candy forming container is provided which produces ice-candies having a complicated shape copying the face of a cartoon character or the like with higher quality and without a loss in shape. A forming container includes a first mold having a pattern portion formed in one face thereof, and a second mold configured to slide over and along the one face of the first mold, in a close contact relation, in directions designated by arrows A1-A2, so as to contain the first mold therein. In such a containing position, the second mold contacts externally and closely substantially an entire surface of the outer periphery of the pattern portion.

Abstract: A container is partially filled with a raw cake batter. A lower portion of the container is covered by said batter and an upper portion of the container defines a void into which the cake batter can expand during baking The partially-filled container is frozen at the charging location. The container is then shipped under chilled conditions and presented for retail at said retail location in a chilled, substantially unfrozen state. The container is then purchased and placed directly into an oven without further preparation, in order to produce a freshly baked cake in said container.

Abstract: A string cheese-forming machine provides for extrusion of cheese into control volumes, for example, implemented with tubes each movably blocked with a piston having a stop. Complete filling of each tube is detected before ejection of the cheese from the tubes is undertaken, thereby ensuring consistent product volume and weight.

Abstract: A baking mold consists of a first exterior element having at least one first baking cavity, a second exterior element having at least one second baking cavity, and an intermediate supportive element having at least one operational channel The intermediate supportive element is disposed between the first and second exterior elements in such a manner that the first and second baking cavities and the operational channel form a continuous baking chamber adapted to accommodate a baked product.

Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes one or more heating compartments that can hold one or more trays, each covered by a cover, each tray containing previously cooked food portions. One or more supports are disposed inside a heating compartment. A support includes one or more guide members and one or more stop members. A cover includes one or more engagement sections. Without a tray, the cover rests on the one or more stop members. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space defined by the cover and the support, the cover is lifted. The one or more engagement sections engage the one or more guide members to guide the upward motion of the cover. The cover then rests on the tray to at least partially block an open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained therein.

Abstract: A method for producing edibles comprising an outer shell from a mass which is fed into a mold. A tempered male die is dipped into the mold, a process during which an excess amount of the mass overflows an edge of the mold. The excess mass is separated form the shell at the edge of the mold by the male die.

Abstract: A cooking aid and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The cooking aid includes a piece of foil for wrapping around a turkey or other fowl or food to serve as a cooking blanket to retain heat and moisture, and also serve as a lifter for lifting the fowl out of a roasting pan. The foil typically includes one or more pleated sections having panels folded along longitudinal folds which may be unfolded to expand the piece of foil. The foil may include left and right pleated sections with a central section of the foil therebetween. Drain holes are typically formed in the central section, which may also be embossed with logos or the like. Axial sections of the foil may be folded at an axial fold to overlay one another. Portions of the foil may be formed into rolled handles to help lift the fowl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an ice cream scooper. The apparatus includes at least four tines. The four tines are mechanically coupled to a retractable handle, and the retractable handle has a first position and a second position. The first position causes the four tines to be held in an open arrangement and the second position causes the four tines to be held in a closed arrangement. Each of the four tines is shaped to enable penetration of an ice cream surface when a downward force is applied to the retractable handle while the retractable handle is in the first position and the four tines are set in the open arrangement. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable container is described for use in consuming a mixture of cereal and milk. The container includes an open-top receptacle divided into a cereal side and a milk side by an angled divider wall that includes an opening to permit milk to flow between the receptacle's cereal and milk sides, and a lid with a discharge opening in communication with the receptacle cereal side. A spoon-shaped mouthpiece is attached to the outer surface of the lid along the inner side of the discharge opening. In use, cereal and milk are mixed together in the receptacle with the wetted cereal being held on the cereal side of the divider wall. When the container is tilted, excess milk flows to the milk side of the receptacle and wetted cereal slides along the divider wall through the discharge opening and onto the mouthpiece for consumption.

Abstract: A method for producing blocks of cheese from curd, wherein a curd mass is deposited in at least one cheese mold provided with a follower and in the at least one cheese mold is subjected to a vacuum treatment and pressing treatment, which pressing treatment is carried out while the at least one cheese mold is situated in a holder in which a vacuum prevails, wherein the vacuum treatment comprises at least a first and a second step, wherein in the first step in the holder with the aid of vacuum pump means a vacuum with a first vacuum pressure is created to draw air and whey entrained with the air from the curd mass, and in the second step the vacuum pressure in the holder is reduced further to a second vacuum pressure, which has a value at which the whey present in the curd mass starts to boil and residual air and free whey are pushed from the curd mass.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing citrus snacks. In this method, citrus fruits are sliced in a natural state and dried under reduced pressure so that the citrus fruits may be dried while containing the same nutrients as when fresh, thereby avoiding nutritional damage due to high temperature drying. Further, the citrus fruits containing various nutrients are provided to users in a snack form that allows more convenient ingestion, so that the citrus fruits may be easily ingested by children and the elderly to whom the supply of nutrition is essential.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption, in particular from a mass of meat. The method comprises feeding the mass of foodstuff into a mold cavity, molding the mass of foodstuff into a molded product, and removing the molded product from the mold cavity using pressurized gas.

Abstract: A device and method of using the device for preparing and baking pizzas. The device separates slices of pizza from each other and prevents ingredients from mixing or migrating across slices during preparation and cooking of the pizza.

Abstract: The described apparatus and method enable the production of thin edible products having complex contoured shapes that cannot be made using conventional molding technology. In particular, chocolates having detailed surface topology can be made utilizing a pliable substrate and a vacuum mold. The process may be made substantially continuous.

Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The. device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.

Abstract: A convenience desert item wherein the container is filled with portions of the desert item, which are first prepared outside the container, cut into multiple portions, and placed into the container in layers, each layer is comprised of a plurality of the cut portions, which are gently compressed before placing additional layers on top of said layer, and the final layer having a frosting applied to the top of the final layer; a method of preparing, storing, transporting, and serving a desert item, comprising the steps of preparing a desert, reducing the desert into a plurality of portions, providing a container, said container having a handle, providing a lid adapted to close the container, placing one or more of the portions into the container to create a first layer of portions, compressing the first layer of portions located in the container, placing additional one or more portions into the container to form a second layer of portions, compressing the second layer of portions located in the container, smoot

Abstract: An ice-candy forming container is provided which produces ice-candies having a complicated shape copying the face of a cartoon character or the like with higher quality and without a loss in shape. A forming container includes a first mold having a pattern portion formed in one face thereof, and a second mold configured to slide over and along the one face of the first mold, in a close contact relation, in directions designated by arrows A1-A2, so as to contain the first mold therein. In such a containing position, the second mold contacts externally and closely substantially an entire surface of the outer periphery of the pattern portion.

Abstract: An ice-candy forming container is provided which produces ice-candies having a complicated shape copying the face of a cartoon character or the like with higher quality and without a loss in shape. A forming container includes a first mold having a pattern portion formed in one face thereof, and a second mold configured to slide over and along the one face of the first mold, in a close contact relation, in directions designated by arrows A1-A2, so as to contain the first mold therein. In such a containing position, the second mold contacts externally and closely substantially an entire surface of the outer periphery of the pattern portion.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a food product-forming apparatus, with a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body, whereas the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, through which a fluid-medium can be ejected and whereas, during the knock-out movement, a fluid-medium cushion is created, at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom. The present invention furthermore comprises a process for the production of food products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing preformed peeled packed sausages, comprising the steps of subsequently: A) heating an encased sausage; B) peeling a casing from the sausage at higher surface temperatures; and C) packing the peeled sausage. The invention also relates to a production device for producing preformed peeled packed sausages with such a method.

Abstract: A method of producing cellulose encased sausages where an encased sausage is partially cooked, the partially cooked sausage is hot peeled, and the cooking of the peeled sausage is finished in its packaging.

Abstract: A cupcake mold includes two mold forms connected by a hinge and separable by a flange on an end opposite the hinge. Each mold form has a series of flutes extending in one direction and a top having a defined shape, such as a series of rings or a snail-shell shape, extending generally perpendicularly to the flutes. A method for making a dough-based edible treat includes the steps of filling an interior of a mold with a volume of dough, closing the mold to shape the dough, reopening the mold to expose the shaped dough, and removing the shaped dough from the mold. A further method adds the steps of extending a portion of a stick into the shaped dough to provide a handle for the edible treat, and, optionally, dipping at least a portion of the shaped dough into a liquid while the holding the stick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of preparing a wafer by baking a batter which comprises preparing a batter mix comprising at least flour and water, feeding the batter mix intermittently in a batter stream to a batter depositor (22) which deposits batter onto a heated baking surface (23) wherein at an injection point in the batter stream immediately upstream of the batter depositor, at least one further batter ingredient is added to the batter mix to form the batter, depositing a portion of the batter onto the heated baking surface (23) to bake the batter in contact with the heated baking surface for a period of from 20 seconds to 5 minutes, at 130° C. to 220° C. to form the wafer, and removing the wafer from the heated baking surface characterized in that the batter is fed through an in-line mixing device (19) fitted at or downstream of the injection point.

Abstract: Batters are described having gellan gum and other components. The gellan gum is present in an amount effective to provide a baked good formed from the batter having a retained moisture content ranging from about 25% to about 40%. The baked goods and methods for making the baked goods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments.

Abstract: The complementary parts of food products destined to be coupled together are located on the frontal surfaces of half-moulds travelling on two different loop conveyor lines. The first conveyor line extends, at least partially, above the second, so to be included within the surface area occupied by the second line itself. Spatial occupation is further reduced since, downstream to the coupling station, the coupled half-moulds travel with the same spacing step that they had before coupling, with additional advantages in terms of energy absorption and advancing velocity in a successive thermal conditioning station, such as a refrigerating tunnel. One of the half-moulds can be removed upstream to the thermal conditioning station, resulting in an additional reduction in energy absorption since needless subjecting of the half-mould to the thermal cycle to which the products are subjected is avoided.

Abstract: A method for forming thin edible pieces uses two continuous belts that cooperate to form a fill cavity. An edible mass, such as chocolate, is flowed into the fill cavity where it forms an edible blank which is transported on a belt path with the two belts moving in tandem. After the edible blank is released from the first or second continuous belt, a three-dimensional shape may be imparted to the edible blank at a forming station using one or more stamping dies or a forming drum. Using the techniques and apparatus described herein, novel edible products, and particularly novel chocolate products, can be made having shape characteristics that cannot be obtained using known molding or forming techniques.

Abstract: A dispenser for a soft-serve food product includes a housing having a dispensing chute and a piston having a head positioned therewithin. A lateral wall, the piston head, and a front door define an enclosed hollow space. The head is slidable within the lateral wall for squeezing a deformable container to dispense product through the chute. A system for preparing and dispensing a soft-serve food product includes a tempering freezer for raising a temperature of the food product from hard-frozen to a condition for soft-serve dispensing. An apparatus for packaging a soft-serve confection into a multiple-serving-size container for transport includes a blender for blending ingredients together to form a blended product and a device for transferring the blended product into a deformable container. The deformable container filled with the blended product is transferred into a substantially rigid mold and frozen to a hardened state for transport and retention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a baking pan for baking brownies or other foods in which substantially each side of the baked good has a crisp edge, the pan comprising a removable bottom surface, a plurality of sidewalls comprising a plurality of sidewall segments, a plurality of towers joined to said bottom surface and rising therefrom and not touching any of the sidewalls, and a single baking cavity formed by the bottom surface, the plurality of sidewalls and the plurality of towers, wherein said towers and sidewalls define a plurality of baking compartments and a plurality of passages connecting said baking compartments. The present invention further relates to a method of baking brownies comprising providing the pan of the present invention, depositing a batter or food product into said baking cavity, baking the batter or food product, and forming a food item with crisp edges.

Abstract: A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, which system is provided with an exchangeable holder (102) and an apparatus with a fluid dispensing element, with which the holder is detachably connected for dispensing under pressure a first fluid to a first mixing chamber (110) of the exchangeable holder. The holder is provided with a storage space (108) which is filled with a second fluid and a fluid communication (114) between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber. The system is designed for positioning the holder (102) in a first position and for then removing a removable seal (138) in the fluid communication (114) prior to bringing the holder (102) into the second position and thereupon dispensing the second fluid to the at least one mixing chamber (110).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system for molding cheese having a pressboard for compressing cheese in a cheese mold. The pressboard includes spring alignment features to align a set of leaf springs that help ensure even compression of the cheese.

Abstract: A knockout mechanism for a food patty forming machine with one or more knockout cups for ejecting formed food from a cavity of a reciprocating mold plate. A rocker arm moves the knockout cup between a raised position and a knockout position. A linear actuator applies force to the knockout cup to move the knockout cup from the raised position to the knockout position. A spring also applies force on the rocker arm to move the knockout cup.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cereal molded snack comprising cereal-based flakes agglomerated together with a mix of sugar and fat, wherein the flakes are mainly roller-dried flakes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming and cutting a dough sheet into a plurality of generally spherically shaped, boule-type dough products in a continuous process. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum and a plurality of cutter molds disposed on the rotatable drum for engaging, shaping and severing dough from the sheet as the dough sheet moves along the dough travel path. Each of the cutter molds including a peripheral edge portion, a base portion and a curved, annular side wall defining a concave, generally bowl-shaped internal cavity, with the peripheral edge portion establishing a cutting edge for the cutter mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing food products, such as mousse products, comprises the steps of: providing a transport conveyor having a transport surface, providing a moulding conveyor having moulding apertures therein, said moulding apertures being positioned above the transport surface, making the transport surface of the transport conveyor and the moulding apertures of the moulding conveyor move in unison from an input end towards an output end, positioning a mould within a moulding aperture of the moulding conveyor and on top of the transport surface of the transport conveyor near the input end, applying a food substance within the mould, removing the products comprising the mould and the food substance from the moulding apertures near the output end.

Abstract: A specially designed flexible tank is installed in a standard 20 foot overseas shipping container or in a standard trucking dry van trailer. A conductive heat serpentine plastic tubing system is also installed underneath the flexible tank allowing heat to liquefy the honey near the bottom discharge location. Nitrogen is introduced through an upper air purging valve and flow is controlled by a regulator allowing tank to stand and not be conducive to cling of product on the roof or the sidewalls and to assist in discharging product without need of a pumping mechanism. Due to the continued shape of the flexible tank there will be very little product loss allowing virtually all product to be expelled. The discharge valve will remain open when the heat is started and this allows the honey to be removed as quickly as it becomes liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and moulding devices for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption, in particular from a mass of meat, in particular chicken. The method comprises filling a mould cavity with a portion of the mass under the influence of a filling pressure exerted on the mass and for a filling period via a filling opening associated with the mould cavity, closing the filling opening of the mould cavity and holding the mass in the mould cavity for a fixing period. Then, the mould cavity is opened and the moulded product is removed from the mould cavity. The method uses fixing-pressure-exerting means which are designed to exert a fixing pressure which acts on the mass in the mould cavity after the filled mould cavity has been closed.

Abstract: A method for making biscuits wherein a dough mixture is dispensed into an agitator. The dough mixture is agitated as it is being dispensed into cavities of a die. The dough mixture is compressed into the cavities of the die by a compression device. The dough mixture is ejected from the cavities of the die by pushing the dough mixture from a top surface of the die out of a bottom surface of the die and onto an apron with an ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A package (1) with carbonated beverage wherein the package is at least substantially manufactured from film material and is closed by at least one sealed joint (7, 12) and/or glued joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom part (4) intended to receive food (1) thereon, and a container part (2) where the said bottom part (4) and the container part (2)) are intended to enclose the said food. The package is provided with means to hold the bottom part (4) and the container part (2) together in a detachable fashion and means to separate the said bottom part (4) from the container part (2) fully or partially. Separating takes the form of removing the said bottom part (4) with the bottom part (4) of the package standing in an essentially horizontal position on a serving surface (8) so that the food (1) is so arranged as to come into contact with the serving surface (8), as a consequence of which the said container part (2) is essentially retained in its position enclosing the said food. The invention also relates to a method for transferring food from a package (5) to a serving surface (8).

Abstract: A food additive composition for ruminants of the dispersion type and a method of continuously producing the same. This food additive composition for ruminants, which contains 40% by weight or more but less than 65% by weight of a basic amino acid and has rumen bypass properties, is formulated into granules in an arbitrary shape which are scarcely classified when added to a silage or another feed. Thus, attempts have been made to develop a method of producing granules by which the milk yield of a lactation cow can be increased. Namely, it is intended to provide a food additive composition for ruminants which contains at least one protecting agent selected from among a hardened vegetable oil and a hardened animal oil having a melting point higher than 50° C. but lower than 90° C., 0.05 to 6% by weight of lecithin, water and 40% by weight or more but less than 65% by weight of a basic amino acid.

Abstract: Appliance for cooking food articles, which comprises a container for receiving an amount of the food articles to be cooked and an amount of cooking liquid sufficient to only partially immerse the food articles therein. The container has a discharge and comprising an opening for discharging the cooked food articles and a cover for closing the opening during the cooking operation. The appliance also comprises a helical paddle; a shaft on which the paddle is mounted, such that shaft is rotatably supported by the container; a motor for driving the shaft; means for causing the motor to drive the shaft in either the cooking direction or the discharging direction; and a support for supporting the container in a slightly slanted position wherein the front end of the shaft is slightly higher than the rear end thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for creation of compression-molded edible ice objects from a pulverized ice mass, where said method involves feeding of the pulverized ice mass from a container to one or more cylinders in an inlet magazine and movement of the one or more cylinders of the inlet magazine to a transfer position. Furthermore, the method also comprises transferring of the ice mass from the one or more cylinders to at least one form in a form unit by compression to form one or more edible ice objects, and movement of the at least one form to a release position, where the edible ice objects are released from the at least one form.

Abstract: A square shaped cake removal having four outer edges of approximately twelve (12) inches in length and formed of a single piece of material with a uniform thickness throughout of approximately ½ inch to 1 full inch. The material further including a centrally located aperture cut into and through the plate, the centrally located aperture also square in shape and having four inner edges, each of a preferred length of approximately two to two and one-half (2 to 2½) inches on all four sides.

Abstract: Serving food includes arranging, on a hand portable serving tray assembly, food that generates food waste when eaten; and releasably coupling the receptacle platter and serving platter in two different configurations including a serving configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is located below the serving platter and they collectively define a substantially enclosed interior space for receiving food waste; and a transport configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is located above and extends over the serving platter and serves as a cover. The serving platter has a peripheral wall and dividing walls defining and separating the serving wells. All are approximately equal in height. The receptacle platter has a peripheral wall and dividers shorter than the peripheral wall, and each divider aligns with and engages a respective dividing wall such that two wells are isolated from one another when the food serving tray assembly is in the transport configuration.

Abstract: Depanning devices and methods of using the depanning devices are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a rotatable support and a grid attached to the support. The grid comprises one or more movable gates and defines one or more passages. The device can further comprise a tray defining one or more recessed portions. The tray is removably attachable to the rotatable support.

Abstract: A food condiment slice, method of using, composition and method for making, and methods for manufacturing are described. The food condiment slices are used with sandwiches, other food products, and beverages. The food condiment slices may have different structures such as face-fused, side-fused, face-fused-side-fused, woven, and chopped. The food condiment slices are formed from condiments such as catsup, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, steak sauce, jellies, jam, preserves, butter, margarine, marinades, creamers, and syrups. More than one food condiment can be integrated into a single food condiment slice. The food condiment slices eliminate the need and inconvenience of using and carrying spreadable, squeezable, and pourable food condiments. Also included are beverage condiment slices or discs such as coffee or tea dairy and non-dairy creamers.

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: A reheatable container for food items includes an annular body portion having a large, centrally positioned, opening surrounded by a generally planar flange. A generally circular disk covers the opening and is supported by the planar flange. The upper edge structure of the body portion includes a generally planar sealing surface to which a transparent quadrilateral cover film is sealed. The body portion is preferably fabricated from CPET. The food item may be heated in the container at the time of preparation, shipped in the container, stored in the container, and reheated in the container. Removal of the circular disk simultaneously removes the food item from the body portion.