Abstract: An apparatus for processing bales, for agricultural machines provided with a chamber for forming a substantially cylindrical bale. The apparatus includes at least one structure for supporting a reel of banded material, of the type of a net, a polymeric film, and the like, designed to wrap the bale. The apparatus includes means of movement of a device for the transfer and delivery of an end flap of the reel to the forming chamber; such device is provided with an end blade which can move along a work path, from a first limit position, in which the blade is proximate to the reel supported by the structure, for the withdrawal of the end flap, to a second limit position, in which the blade is facing toward the chamber, for the delivery of the flap to the chamber, and vice versa, such limit positions having substantially the same height from the ground.

Abstract: A candle or candle composition is provided made from only edible materials and is formed from palatably desirable compositions. Cocoa butter and chocolate at a ratio of between approximately three parts to approximately five parts cocoa butter to one part chocolate provides a composition that is moldable and capable of being formed into a self supporting candle structure that is capable of being lit and maintaining a flame. At the same time, the unignited portions, when melted, creates a pool of melted, edible chocolate flavor material. Inclusion of trace amounts of sugar and vanilla improve the palatability and gastronomic effect of the melted material.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products includes a product feed and an interleaver. The product feed is operable to supply products to a cutting plane in a plurality of tracks running in parallel next to one another. At least one cutting blade is moved in the cutting plane. The interleaver has a conveying device for each track that is operable to convey a front end region of an interleaved sheet material web through the cutting plane in each track to provide the front end region in the respective track as an interleaved sheet between cut-off product layers. The interleaver is operable individually per track and each conveying device is configured such that it conveys the respective front end region of the respective interleaved sheet material web through the cutting plane individually per track in dependence on an angular position of the cutting blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing bales, for agricultural machines provided with a chamber for forming a substantially cylindrical bale. The apparatus includes at least one structure for supporting a reel of banded material, of the type of a net, a polymeric film, and the like, designed to wrap the bale. The apparatus includes means of movement of a device for the transfer and delivery of an end flap of the reel to the forming chamber; such device is provided with an end blade which can move along a work path, from a first limit position, in which the blade is proximate to the reel supported by the structure, for the withdrawal of the end flap, to a second limit position, in which the blade is facing toward the chamber, for the delivery of the flap to the chamber, and vice versa, such limit positions having substantially the same height from the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foodstuff casing having a textile supporting layer. The textile supporting layer has, on the side facing the foodstuff, an edible, however, essentially water-insoluble coating. The coating contains solid and/or liquid aromatic substances, dyestuffs and/or food flavorings and can be transferred onto foodstuff located inside the casing. An additional layer, largely or completely formed from water soluble material may be advantageously located between the transferable layer and the textile supporting material.

Abstract: A sheet interleaver is provided for a slicing machine that includes a slicing plane for slicing an elongated food product and a sheet from web material beneath the elongated product. The interleaver includes a supply of web material, a drawing station, a feed station, and a controller. The drawing station has a first driver for drawing web material from the supply. The feed station has a second driver for receiving web material from the drawing station and driving the web material through a cutting nip into the slicing plane. The controller is in signal-communication with at least one of the first and second drivers to drive web material at select differential speeds by the first and second drivers such that tension between the drawing station and the feed station is controlled to allow a slackened length of web material between the drawing station and the feed station.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of a composite frozen product in a container, the product being comprised of a frozen confection within an edible casing, wherein the apparatus comprises a forming element having an external surface corresponding to the internal shape of the container, the forming element being further characterised by a passage running through the forming element from an upper opening to a lower opening, the apparatus further comprising means for removing material from the passage of the forming element.

Abstract: A drinkware rimming apparatus including a wetting receptacle, a cutout, and a rotatable tray having a plurality of spice receptacles. The tray is rotatable relative to the cutout (or vice-versa) to align and provide downward access to a desired spice receptacle or to the wetting receptacle. A cover may be included and the cutout can be in the cover and/or the tray. The cover can have beverage garnish compartments on a top surface thereof. The wetting receptacle can be positioned in a tray or on the cover. The cutout can be in another tray also having one or more spice receptacles and above the first-mentioned tray and rotatable independently of the lower tray. A method of applying spice to rims of drinkware is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cupcake tray has spikes, such as paperboard spikes, that extend into a cupcake cavity. The spikes prevent the cupcake from popping up and out of the insert when the cupcake box is jarred. The spikes easily fold down when the cupcake is inserted, but provide resistance in the upward direction when the cupcake box is jarred. The cupcake tray has creased panels disposed about its outer periphery to fold downward to support the cupcake tray in a cupcake box at a desired height. Each cupcake cavity in the cupcake tray has cutouts, typically semi-circular cutouts, for a user to insert their fingers to remove the cupcakes without damaging them.

Abstract: An assembly and method for preparing edible items on a stick, from material that may not be particularly pourable, using a mold, a mold compression piece and a stick.

Abstract: A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided.

Abstract: A food processing system having a slicer/former for food preparations having a feed conveyor, a stacker for stacking food preparations, and n interleaver for inserting a substrate under a food preparation from the food slicer/former as it transitions to the stacker. The interleaver is arranged such that a portion of the interleaver is located beneath the feed conveyor of the slicer/former. The interleaver includes an interleaver conveyor which extends from the feed conveyor to the stacker in-feed conveyor, and an overall length of the interleaver conveyor is less than a length of the interleaver in order to provide a reduced footprint interleaver for new and retro-fit applications having a limited length for the food processing system.

Abstract: A food composition having a pizza separated into a small portion and a large portion. The large portion of the pizza having an aperture in which a container of a secondary food item is positioned. The large portion and container may be boxed in a specially designed box to accommodate both. The small portion may be provided with, or separately from the large portion.

Abstract: A food package for segregating ingredients of a multi-component food product, such as the multiple components of a sandwich, the package comprising an outer container to house a first food component and at least one flexible envelope or barrier film layer that encloses at least one intermediate food component allowing for separation of the intermediate food component during extended periods of storage and prior to opening the product. A method for opening the package comprises applying a pulling force to an externally located protruding end portion of the envelope, such that the envelope peels apart and separates into ruptured layers that are pulled out of the food product and out of the outer container by the continual pulling force from the protruding end portion.

Abstract: A method for producing ice cream includes combining ingredients to form a premix; supplying a cryogenic medium to the premix; and cooling the premix to a temperature below 0° C. During the prefreezing, lump additives which have previously been cooled to a temperature of less than ?2° C. are added to the premix.

Abstract: A cooking aid comprising a sheet of flexible burn resistant material and a composition disposed on one face of the sheet, the composition comprising a mixture of vegetable or animal oil with a melting point below 20° C., vegetable or animal fat with a melting point above 20° C., and one or more herbs, spices and flavour enhancers.

Abstract: Method for producing a beverage-ingredient capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage; the method comprising the steps of: providing a mould cavity (12), at least partially filling a mould cavity with the beverage ingredient in powdered or particulate form, compacting the powdered or particulate beverage ingredient in the mould cavity to obtain a compacted mass of the beverage ingredient, forming at least one recess (21) in the compacted mass and, inserting a capsule identification insert (9) into the said recess.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for solidified livestock feed supplement blocks is disclosed. The handling apparatus includes a handle incorporated into the block at the time of manufacturing such that the handle is inherent or intrinsic to the block. A method of producing a handling apparatus for a solidified livestock feed supplement block is also disclosed, including incorporation of a handle into the block at the time of manufacturing such that the handle is inherent or intrinsic to the block.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging for products (such as fresh red meat) that are enclosed between a support member and a lid (i.e., a film). More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging comprising an elevation unit that raises the profile of the packaged product to contact the lid at any desired time, such as at the time of retail display.

Abstract: A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided.

Abstract: A drinkware rimming apparatus including a wetting receptacle, a cutout, and a rotatable tray having a plurality of spice receptacles. The tray is rotatable relative to the cutout (or vice-versa) to align and provide downward access to a desired spice receptacle or to the wetting receptacle. A cover may be included and the cutout can be in the cover and/or the tray. The cover can have beverage garnish compartments on a top surface thereof. The wetting receptacle can be positioned in a tray or on the cover. The cutout can be in another tray also having one or more spice receptacles and above the first-mentioned tray and rotatable independently of the lower tray. A method of applying spice to rims of drinkware is also disclosed.

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: The present disclosure provides for methods, systems and apparatus for monochromatic UV light sterilization of container systems and/or container-packaged products. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved methods, systems and apparatus for monochromatic UV light sterilization of liquid and/or solid products/solutions and/or packaging/container systems for liquid and/or solid products/solutions (e.g., parenteral pharmaceutical products/solutions and/or packaging/container systems for parenteral pharmaceutical products/solutions).

Abstract: A food interleaver is provided according to the invention. The food interleaver includes a paper base sheet, a release and barrier component for providing the food interleaver with release and barrier properties, and a food flavorant component. The food flavorant component is provided to transfer from the food interleaver to a food product that contacts the food interleaver, and provide the resulting food product with a desired flavor. A method for imparting flavor to food product and a combination food product and food interleaver are provided.

Abstract: A product display sheet (1) comprises a display area (3) having a plurality of adhesive areas (7a-7h). Each adhesive area comprises one or more adhesive locations. Each adhesive area is further associated with one or more product identifiers.

Abstract: Films comprising a liquid-absorbant layer and an impermeable layer are provided. Processes for manufacturing these films is also provided. The films are suitable for preparation of tubular casings and shrinkbags, in particular, casings for smoked foodstuffs. Also described are foodstuffs processed in the tubular casings.

Abstract: Methods of coating the interior surface of a hollow tubular structure, in particular a drinking device, and more particularly a drinking straw, with an edible composition to impart a desirable modification to a beverage that is drunk through the straw. The edible composition comprises an adhering agent and a powdered ingredient coated to the interior surface. Suitable adhering agents include lipids (e.g., soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, and mixtures thereof), medium chain triglycerides oils, emulsifiers, and mixtures thereof. Suitable powdered ingredients include edible acids, edible bases, sweeteners, flavorings, vitamins, minerals, colorants, sensate agents, carotenoids, antioxidants, polyphenols, phytonutrients, and mixtures thereof. The adhering agent is applied to the interior surface of the straw by any one of a number of methods followed by incorporating the powdered ingredient into the adhering agent layer.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the flavor and color of a beverage with crushed candy fragments is disclosed. The type of candy may be chosen for its color, to contrast, accent, or compliment the color of the beverage. The type of candy may also be chosen for its flavor, to either accent or compliment one or more flavors contained in the beverage. Flavored liquids may also be used to further enhance the flavor of the beverage. The liquids may also be chosen for their color, to contrast, accent, or compliment the color of the beverage.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for absorbing excess moisture and melted confection that simultaneously protects bare hands from extreme temperatures of a frozen confection. An apparatus is provided for absorbing condensation and melted confection while protecting bare hands by wrapping one or more layers of absorbent material around a frozen confection and affixing the ends by means of a fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-edible collagen casings for food products which do not have to be soaked in water or brine just before stuffing (ready-to-stuff casings), and the method for preparing them. More specifically, the invention refers to a preparation of a stabilized longlife non-edible collagen casing ready-to-stuff comprising a moisture amount between 27% and 50% by weight based on total casing weight and a salt amount between 2,5% and 30% by weight based on dry casing weight, wherein the salt comprises a salt from an organic acid and wherein the casing is packed.

Abstract: A cut-off device is used for providing a deposit of known portion weight of the ground meat or paste. This deposit is dropped accurately onto a conveyor belt for transport to a press wheel the height of which, from the conveyor, can be adjusted to provide a finished product of correct thickness. The press wheel has a system of vacuum ducts around the circumference in four chambers that pull paper from a de-nesting tray situated at the top of the press wheel, at the correct interval as to meet up with the deposit at the base of the wheel. This results in the deposit being pressed to the required thickness onto the conveyor, with the interleave paper attached to the top of the now formed patty.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a sticky coating to a rim of a drinking container to add flavor to a drink and/or facilitate applying a granulated flavoring material to the rim. The apparatus includes a bottle containing a sticky liquid which may be flavored, and a removable applicator. The applicator includes a handle which may serve as a cap for the container, a stem, and a swab. The swab is immersed in the sticky liquid, and wiped round the rim of the drinking container. When desired, the drinking container is then inverted and the rim pressed into the granulated flavoring material to coat the rim with the granulated flavoring material. The drinking container may then be placed upright and filled with a liquid drink. The applicator may also be used to apply a flavoring to an inside edge of the drinking container to directly add flavor to a drink.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing tissue slides is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding assembly for manipulating the sample block, a blade assembly for preparing a thin section from the sample block, and a transfer roller mechanism for transferring the thin section to a receiving medium. The apparatus further includes a controller that may track the sample block and thin section. The method includes the steps of first locating a sample embedded within a support medium, which may be paraffin or a similar medium. Next, the embedded sample is oriented in such a way that its working surface is presented. This orientation may entail determining the orientation of the embedded sample with respect to the blade that will produce the largest cross-sectional area. Next, a slice of the sample from said embedded sample is removed and subsequently transferred to a suitable receiving medium, which may include a microscope slide.

Abstract: Rapid, efficient, and systematic processes and apparatuses for making repeatable imprints on multiple, individual sweet dough pieces are provided. An advantage of the process is the ease of making uniform imprints that are aligned with the individual dough pieces as formed and deposited. Such provides the ability to create a three-dimensional pattern on the surface of a sweet dough piece, particularly a soft cookie dough piece. The methods can be accomplished by high-speed wire cutting production methods as well as other dough piece depositing apparatuses, such as roller-type depositors.

Abstract: A cylindrical mandrel is provided having a hollow core and a flare at one end. The cylindrical tube otherwise has a substantially constant diameter. Dough, such as phyllo dough, is wrapped around an outer surface of the mandrel in multiple layers. The dough and mandrel are then baked together until the dough hardens into a dough tube. The mandrel is then removed from the dough tube leaving the dough tube to be filled with an edible filling. The flare on the mandrel assists in removing the mandrel from the dough tube. The flare also facilitates contact between the mandrel and a baking tray to enhance heat transfer to an innermost layer of dough adjacent an outer surface of the mandrel. The hollow core of the mandrel facilitates baking of the innermost layer of dough adjacent the outer surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A plurality of flat rigid supports protect flat surfaces, flexible membranes protect contoured surfaces, and intersections of these rigid and flexible surfaces form joints that protect the corners and edges of cut seafood such that the physical shape of each packaged seafood segment resembles its freshly cut shape. Cut seafood surfaces, corners, and edges protected by this supporting means avoid contact with other surfaces that may disfigure their original cut appearance. This supporting means accommodates varying seafood fillet sizes and shapes, and minimizes the unused space within the packing unit. As a result, a substantial cost savings is realized by shipping seafood fillets with the weight and volume of non-edible portions of the whole fish removed prior to shipping without compromising the quality of the delivered product.

Abstract: An edible film and method of using same for decorating foodstuffs, in particular baked goods, wherein anyone can easily, inexpensively and artistically decorate foodstuffs. The edible film according to the present invention is composed of an edible polymer film which is preferably releasably mounted upon a flexible substrate to provide a reinforced edible film. The edible film is peelably released from the substrate to provide decorations for the foodstuff. The edible film may be decoratively prepared into predetermined decorations prior to distribution, which may include being pre-printed, pre-cut, colored, or being of pre-selected opacity and sheen. Pre-printing may be accomplished by any suitable printing process utilizing edible inks. Alternatively, the edible film may be distributed in a not yet finalized decoration form, wherein finalization is left up to the user.

Abstract: An edible film and method of making and using same for decorating foodstuffs, in particular baked goods, wherein anyone can easily, inexpensively and artistically decorate foodstuffs. The edible film according to the present invention is composed of an edible polymer film which is preferably releasably mounted upon a flexible substrate to provide a reinforced edible film. The edible film is peelably released from the substrate to provide decorations for the foodstuff. The edible film may be decoratively prepared into predetermined decorations prior to distribution, which may include being pre-printed, pre-cut, colored, or being of pre-selected opacity and sheen. Alternatively, the edible film may be distributed in a not yet finalized decoration form, wherein finalization is left up to the user.

Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolyzed casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a compressed and cut bale of fibrous material, whereby the bale of fibrous material has at least one cut that allows the material to be separated into two distinct and separate layers. The present invention also relates to the compressed and cut fibrous material.

Abstract: A food preparation system, a controller, a computer readable memory, and a method for providing precise on-line control of a heat transfer process on a food item is disclosed. The food preparation system comprises a heating and/or cooling chamber, a sensor, and a controller. The chamber is configured to transfer heat to or from the food item during a phase of the heat transfer process. The sensor is configured to sense an actual temperature in the heating and/or cooling chamber at each real time epoch of the phase. The controller is configured to control the heating and/or cooling chamber according to a scheduled time-temperature profile over the phase. It is also configured to, at each real time epoch of the phase, simulate an internal temperature in the food item based on the sensed actual temperature at that real time epoch. It is further configured to terminate the phase when the simulated internal temperature at a particular real time epoch reaches a target internal temperature.

Abstract: A segmented elongate, hollow convection pipe formed with an angled mid portion which extends through the body cavity of stuffed poultry during cooking. The device is provided in plural individual sections of tubing that are serially joined in a nested fashion. Overall length of the device can be grossly adjusted by selecting greater or fewer numbers of sections of tubing to form the device, and finely adjusted by telescopically sliding the sections relative to each other. The angled mid portion may be provided as a fixed angle, or provided as a selectively adjustable angle to accommodate anatomical differences in poultry. Overall cooking time of both the poultry and the stuffing is uniform and reduced as a result of cooking from the inside as well as the outside. A method is provided for using the convection pipe to safely, quickly, and uniformly cook a raw, stuffed poultry.

Abstract: A dispenser for a granular foodstuff including web material, and a granular foodstuff removably adhered to at least one surface of the web material, whereby frictional engagement between two adjacent surfaces of the web material causes disengagement of the foodstuff from the web material and provides controlled dispensing thereof.

Abstract: A method and a device for preparing a drink glass with a salt-coated rim in which juice from a lime or lemon is deposited in an open-topped recess formed in the top of a lid for a wide-mouthed salt container, and the drink glass is inverted down onto the lid to have its rim wetted by the juice before being dipped into salt in the container.

Abstract: The poultry shaping mandrel (25) is utilized to retain the shape of previously eviscerated oven-ready whole bird carcasses (10) after the carcasses have been prepared and before they are packaged and shipped. When the bird is frozen, the mandrels retain the shape of the bird so that the bird and its mandrel can be mounted on a skewer (52) or a smaller hand held skewer can be thrust through the mandrel and through the bird without hazard of deteriorating the bird.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an impervious inner jacket 16 which may contain an inner edible foodstuff 14 which is encircled by an outer foodstuff 12. The inner jacket 16 has one end which may be equipped with a tear stripe 20 or tie member 28 which provides a means for removing the inner foodstuff 14 from the outerjacket 12. The jacket 16 has a tab 18 on one end which can be grasped by the fingers 38 of the user to help remove the jacket 16 from inside the outer foodstuff 12.

Abstract: Topical applications are provided to the support material (16) before the deposit of the food (14) thereon or to the food (14) after the deposit of the food (14) on the support material (16). Thus, although the food (14) is continuously deposited on the support material (16), the characteristics of the food is varied by contact with the topical application. In the preferred form, the topical applications are in the form of flavors, colorants and/or fortification ingredients and especially temperature sensitive ingredients.

Abstract: Sport and game fish are attracted to an area of a lake, stream or other body of water by a fish attractant block comprising a cured formulation of compositional components suspended in the aquatic medium by a rope or similar suspension means. The fish attractant block is prepared by first formulating a relatively homogeneous mixture of the block compositional components, transferring this liquid composition from a mixer to a package equipped with a rope, and then allowing the liquid formulation to cure. Representative ingredients of the formulation include molasses, fish oil, fish meal, attapulgite clay, a phosphate source and magnesium oxide (a curing assist). The blocks of this invention are not only effective at attracting game and sport fish, but they are also water stable and environmentally benign.

Abstract: Within the present invention, a powder or "fines" is created from the targeted wood (i.e. mesquite, peach, hickory, apple). This powder is then sprinkled onto, or rubbed into, the meat (fish, chicken, beet, ostrich, buffalo, etc.) and then the meat is flame grilled. During the flame grilling, the wood powder is incinerated, thereby releasing the wood's flavor into the meat through the smoke.

Abstract: A composite ice confectionery product of the frozen type is prepared by pumping an ice composition into a former structure provided with an extrusion die so that the composition contained within the former passes through the former to the die for extrusion via the die and by pumping a material of texture different from that of the aerated ice confectionery through an assembly of a hollow spindle with nozzle(s) attached wherein the nozzle(s) is (are) provided with ports, particularly slots, for delivering the material into the ice confectionery composition stream in the former.