Abstract: A method for producing formed blanks wherein the components are premixed in a first stage and metered. Heat and moisture are added to the mixture in a controlled manner and the mixture is then formed into pellets. The pellets are cooled with air, comminuted and further processed into formed blanks after storage for an arbitrary length of time. The method of this invention leads to more homogeneous and improved results and is extremely inexpensive.

Abstract: A low inclusion animal feed binder composed of ozonated lignosulfonate. The ozonated lignosulfonate is a reaction product of lignosulfonate and ozone prepared by treating lignosulfonate with 2-20% ozone by weight of lignosulfonate solids at an initial pH of 2 to 12 and at a temperature of 5.degree. to 100.degree. C. The binder is incorporated with the animal feed in an amount from 0.01 to 2% by weight of dry feed.

Abstract: A fish feed additive is used which contains .beta.-carotene containing Dunaliella algae powder stabilized against oxidation and migration into the water. The fish feed is prepared by mixing 100 parts by weight of a Dunaliella algae powder with 15-50 parts by weight of a cyclodextrin while stirring. The final fish feed is obtained by blending 10 parts by weight of this additive with 200-500 parts by weight of a common fish feed. The fish feed additive is in the form of dry fine granules. The fish feed additive effectively promotes growth and delivers .beta.-carotene to the fish.

Abstract: Roasted coffee granules are admixed with roasted coffee non-granules in critical weight ratios. The smaller coffee non-granules include flaked coffee, flaked coffee fines, ground coffee fines, and coffee agglomerates. The larger coffee granules include roast and ground coffee. The coffee granules and coffee non-granules are densified to between 0.41 to 0.56 grams/cc. The compact coffee has the flowability, flavor, aroma and strength of roast and ground coffee. At equal volumes, the compact coffee results in more brewed coffee than conventional roast and ground coffee.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of a fiber containing ready to eat cereal product of improved texture and appearance. The process involves the addition of a fiber source to a moistened and cooked grain mixture during the pelletization of the mixture. The pellets of the fiber containing mixture are then formed into a suitable shape for the ready to eat cereal product, such as a flake. The addition of the fiber source during pelletization of the mixture avoids any textural and appearance problems that might result if the fiber is added during the cooking or tempering step.

Abstract: A reduced animal product pet food or non-animal pet food composition having a mixture of proteinaceous and farinaceous components in an amount sufficient to provide a nutritionally balanced, dry pellet. The pet food composition includes a non-meat based animal fat substance and a vegetable based fat substance. The non-meat based animal fat substance is preferably an egg or dairy based fat substance. Lactase, pectin, hyperfortified vitamin, and flavoring components are also provided.

Abstract: Melt crystallized xylitol possesses an agglomerated crystalline structure under a scanning electron microscope; an increased surface area relative to aqueous crystallized xylitol, of at least about 0.12 square meters per gram; and unexpected hardness values when compressed into a tablet. Chewing gum compositions comprising such melt crystallized xylitol are much less tacky and gritty compared to gum compositions comprising equal proportions of conventional aqueous crystallized xylitol of similar particle size distribution.

Abstract: A feed pellet which is stable in water is manufactured by mixing the materials, including wheat gluten, from which the pallet is to be made, without heating, extruding the pellets through a pellet mill before heating and subsequently cooking and effecting binding of the pellet by heating, preferably with steam.

Abstract: Process for making soy protein concentrate which includes agglomerating either dusty defatted soybean flakes or the dust itself in a screw device with substantially no die restriction at the discharge end, the material to be agglomerated having been subjected to moisture addition to bring the moisture content to 18-30%, maintaining the temperature in the range of 160.degree.-300.degree. and thereafter extracting the agglomerated material with 55-75% aqueous ethanol.

Abstract: A particulate comestible material is agglomerated by forming a flowable phase on the particle surfaces, consolidating the particles by passing them through a nip and resolidifying the flowable phase. The color, texture and density may be adjusted by controlling the degree of consolidation and the conditions of flowable phase formation.

Abstract: The oil content of rice bran can be stabilized by simultaneous high temperature high pressure treatment. Such a treatment also improves the yield obtainable when such oil is extracted from rice bran by solvent extraction.

Abstract: A stabilized dipeptide sweetening composition useful in chewing gum applications provides longer shelf life stability and improved longer lasting sweetness. A dipeptide sweetner such as appartame is encapsulated through an anhydrous process that compresses the crystals with a mixture of inert binder ingredients so as to form a solid tablet or sheet which is then ground into fine granular particles. These particles may then be coated with a hydrophobic material such as a fat or wax and then incorporated into a variety of food applications such as chewing gum. The sweetener composition is thereby protected from adverse environmental conditions such as high temperature, moisture and pH.

Abstract: A biscuit, consisting of agglomerated granules of an extrusion cooked base, which are coated with a binder. The biscuit has a density of from 0.3 to 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 and a water content of from 1.5 to 4.5% by weight. The base consists of from 40 to 80 parts by weight of cereal flour, from 0 to 20 parts by weight of sucrose and from 0.5 to 3 parts by weight of oil or fat. The base has a specific weight of from 0.1 to 0.3 g/cm.sup.3. The binder consists of from 8 to 30 parts by weight of sucrose and/or mixtures of glucose and its polymers.

Abstract: Mannitol having the crystalline form of gamma sorbitol is made by co-crystallizing relatively high mannitol containing sorbitol melt in a twin screw mixer. Tablets, chocolate and chewing gum made with the co-crystallized product offer improvements similar to those realized with pure crystalline components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically controlling a pellet mill. Dry material from a feeder and steam from a valve are supplied to a conditioner, in which the dry material is mixed with the steam to form a hot and moist conditioned mash. The mash is fed into a motorized die or other pellet producing means. During operation, the current load of the die motor and the temperature in the pellet mill are continuously monitored. At period intervals, the system determines whether the current is within a certain tolerance of a predetermined target value. If the current is not within tolerance, the rate of input of raw material is increased or decreased. For each such change in input of raw material, an adjustment is made to the amount of steam input. If the current is within tolerance, the system determines whether temperature of the conditoned mash is near a predetermined target value, and if not, the system adjusts the steam input.

Abstract: Method and machine for pelleting dry pellets from the mass (11) containing thermo-hardening substances, particularly for use as fish feed, where the mass is first compressed and then heated to a thermo-hardening temperature and finally cooled. The bi-products from heating, such as fat, other liquids or gas, are drained off in or near the heating zone (6) and are brought in contact with and thereby returned to the thermo-hardened mass after this has been cooled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel binder combination for pelletized and compressed animal feed. This binder comprises a chemically reactive, molasses-free, mixture of a reactive phosphate source plus a reactive metal oxide, hydroxide, or salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing improved pelleted animal feeds. Under the process of this invention, an animal feed composition containing an effective amount of a water soluble form of calcium is compressed into pellets. The water soluble form of calcium present in the composition serves as both the source of mineral nutrition and as a pellet binding agent. The pelleted animal feeds produced by the process of this invention exhibit superior durability and produce less fines.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a particulate, free-flowing pelleting agent with energy value. The pelleting agent is constituted by discrete, free-flowing absorbent clay agglomerates that include clay and molasses in a clay-to-molasses weight ratio of at least about 1.5:1, respectively.

Abstract: Animal feed pallets such as fish feeds, dog and cat foods in pellet form and textured soya protein pellets, are prepared by a process in which edible liquid is added to the pellets and absorbed under conditions of reduced pressure. In this way, larger amounts of edible liquids such as lipids can be incorporated into the pellets without significant deterioration in other desirable properties of the pellets such as hardness and durability.

Abstract: The invention concerns a feed raw material which contains zero fibre obtained as a by-product of the wood conversion industry and mainly compound of cellulose and possibly containing lignin and which is intended to be admixed to animal feed. The feed raw material contains zero fibre about 80-99% by weight, advantageously about 90% by weight, calculated as dry matter, and bonding agent binding zero fibre about 1-20% by weight, advantageously about 10% by weight. The feed raw material mix obtained in the feed raw material-preparing procedure is granulated and possibly dried. The granular feed raw material can be admixed to produce a feed according to the invention, at a concentration about 1-50% by weight, suitably about 5-40% by weight, advantageously about 10-25% by weight.

Abstract: A method for improving the properties of particles of a starch hydrolyzate product made by the partial hydrolysis of cereal and root based starches. Particles of starting material are blended with a volatile liquid other than water, and the resulting blend is compacted in a roller compactor without extraneous lubricant, to form a sheet. The sheet is broken into small particles which are sieved and dried. The resulting particles are non-spherical, appear crystalline under a light microscope and have a surface topography comprising cracks, crevices and fissures. These particles have good solubility, a bulk density comparable to the starting material, and no flow or dusting problems.

Abstract: An animal feed composition and method of compounding animal feed utilizing a carboxylic containing compound as a binder. The carboxylic containing compound comprises a polymer, copolymer or salts of the polymer or copolymer having a monomer unit of the general formula --(RCHCR'COOH).sub.n --where R is hydrogen or a carboxylic acid and R' is hydrogen or an alkyl group. One specific embodiment of the binder comprises a copolymer of a sulfonated lignin material and a monomer, polymer or polymer salt of the above general formula. The binder is incorporated with the feed in an amount of from about 0.025% to about 4.0% on a dry weight basis.

Abstract: A process for purifying polydextrose to remove contaminants remaining from manufacturing sufficient to provide an organoleptically-acceptable polydextrose ingredient for foodstuffs which includes intimately contacting an aqueous solution of polydextrose having a concentration of from about 10% to about 50% with a polar organic solvent in a ratio of polydextgrose solvent of from about 5-15 of polydextrose to about 45-75 by weight of solvent. Furthermore, the mixture is allowed to equilibrate to form a substantially contaminant-containing fraction and a substantially polydextrose-containing fraction, followed by separating the fractions for use of the polydextrose-containing fraction. The present invention further includes compositions of foodstuffs including the purified polydextrose.

Abstract: A pellet mill includes a conditioning section which mixes dry material, moisture in the form of water, and heat provided by a hot air system for the creation of a mash suitable for pelleting without the use of steam. The hot air section inputs heat by utilizing a blower which pressurizes air across a heat exchanger and into a plenum which interconnects an air duct with the conditioner. Moisture is input to the conditioner with a hot water system which modulates the flow of water and temperature of the water as it is sprayed onto the dry material. An automatic controller controls the process in accordance with temperature measurements made at various points in the pellet mill to select a desired operating temperature or in accordance with other control parameters previously developed.

Abstract: Dunaliella algae, which is very rich in .beta.-carotene, can be utilized as an excellent nourishing diet supplement without extracting the .beta.-carotene from the cells of the algae and destroying the .beta.-carotene, in the form of a light impermeable tablet which consists of dried powder of the algae, cyclodextrin, an antioxidant such as vitamin C and vitamin E, a lubricant such as talc and ester of sucrose and fatty acid, a binder such as reducing maltose and starches and a coloring agent such as annato-, caramel-, paprika- or oleoresin-containing sugar solution.

Abstract: An improved grain cake, method and apparatus. In the prior art, rice cakes have been made by heating a predetermined quantity of rice grains in a hermetically sealed chamber at superatmospheric pressure and then expanding the heated rice grains while they are confined to the chamber by abruptly releasing the superatmospheric pressure such that the confined, expanded grains bond together to form a self-supporting mass. The improvement of this invention comprises pretreatment of cereal grains, including rice, wheat, rye, corn and the like, by steaming the cereal grains to bring them to an effective temperature to partially gelatinize the starch therein and to maintain the cereal grains at the effective temperature for an effective period of time to produce a desired degree of expansion when puffed in a conventional rice cake machine. The resulting grain cakes have increased expansion and reduced fragility over those made by prior art pretreatment methods.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for making a ground coffee discoid pad for brewing an express coffee wherein a pressure means applies a pressure to a coffee pad placed in a pocket made of water and air permeable material and simultaneously rotates in contact with the coffee surface about an axis perpendicular to said surface and the applied pressure ranges from 22 to 65 atmospheres.

Abstract: Insect larvae of a variety of types are raised successfully on a feed containing a variety of nutrient ingredients admixed with a small amount of soybean solids as a gelling agent and nutrient. The soybean solids are present in the amount of 5-20% by weight of the final gel composition. The nutrient composition may also be provided as a solid mixture which is formed into a gel on addition of water, the soybean solids being present in the desired proportion in the final gel composition.

Abstract: Pre-heated mash is pelleted. The resulting warm pellets are cooled by the ambient air and the ambient air is heated by the warm pellets. The heated ambient air is used to pre-heat the mash.

Abstract: A method for improving the properties of particles of a starch hydrolyzate product made by the partial hydrolysis of cereal and root based starches. Particles of starting material are blended with a volatile liquid other than water, and the resulting blend is compacted in a roller compactor without extraneous lubricant, to form a sheet. The sheet is broken into small particles which are sieved and dried. The resulting particles are non-spherical, appear crystalline under a light microscope and have a surface topography comprising cracks, crevices and fissures. These particles have good solubility, a bulk density comparable to the starting material, and no flow or dusting problems.

Abstract: Disclosed are animal feed supplement formulations comprising (a) mixtures of calcium salts of certain volatile fatty acids and (b) coconut oil or mixtures of coconut oil with tallow. Such formulations are easily pelletizable and resistant to caking and dusting.

Abstract: A biscuit dough is kneaded, while at the same time being heated, in such a way that it is fragmented into granules which are baked at oven temperature either simultaneously or in a hot-air stream; biscuits are subsequently formed as a result of the caking of these granules.

Abstract: The method consists of intimately dry mixing a set amount of powdered milk with a set amount of ground microcrystalline sugar as binder alone or with one or more carbohydrates selected from a group including glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, matoldextrines, and maltitol, and of compressing the mixture into a bar. Fluorine and/or flavoring matter, such as cocoa, coffee, strawberry flavor, mint flavor, are added to the mixture prior to its compression. The resulting bars are in the form of square-based parallelepipeds with rounded corners.

Abstract: A tableted chewing gum composition having a moisture content of about 2 to about 8% by weight comprising a blended mixture of chewing gum granules comprising gum base, a grinding aid, a sweetening agent and a modified maltodextrin compression aid, wherein said grinding aid is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal phosphates, maltodextrins and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process of preparing an edible mixed ground compressed fruit and nut product comprising: (a) mixing dried fruit and nuts in a receptacle; (b) transporting the fruit and nut mixture from the receptacle into a mixing and grinding device; and (c) transporting the mixed and ground fruit mixture after it has passed through the mixing and grinding device into an extrusion and compression device to thereby form a compressed mixed ground edible fruit and nut product.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used to control the moisture addition to control the pelleting process. A moisture meter is mounted to the cooler and automatically adjusts the desired die temperature in response to the moisture content of finished pellets.

Abstract: Zinc oxide and zinc carbonate are dry blended with proteinaceous feeds for dairy cattle and beef cattle to protect the protein against rumen digestion. Although zinc oxide and zinc carbonate have limited water solubility and are not prereacted with the protein, milk production in dairy cattle and rate of weight gain in beef cattle can be increased in relation to protein intake.

Abstract: An ingestible, high-density compressed-tablet fruit fiber composition having a high dietary fiber content is prepared by blending at least one fruit fiber source preferably apple fiber, having a maximum starch content of about 25%, with a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid; mixing water with the blend at a rate ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1 based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; drying the plastic mass; milling the dried product to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; blending the granules with a tableting lubricant and compressing into a high-density, high fiber tablet. The low starch content provides for increased hardness and structural tablet integrity with less compressive force, thereby producing high quality tablets.

Abstract: An automatic pellet mill controller controls a vapor steam generator for use with the pellet mill, the vapor steam generator having the capability of producing steam at a constant pressure but with a variable temperature to suit the particular ambient conditions, or formulation of feed being pelleted, or temperature at any point in the pellet mill. After the steam temperature is selected, the control can operate in any one of the various control modes which control the automatic pelleting of the pellet mill for the particular feed formulation.

Abstract: A binder ingredient for pelleted feeds comprising a direct binding agent present as a dry thin film layer or coating upon a solid particle of organic nutrient-filler. The dry thin film layer or coating comprises a water soluble lignin sulfonate such as calcium lignin sulfonate, while the organic nutrient-filler comprises granular dried reed sedge peat. The binder is mixed with the feed ingredients in a desired range, such as in the range of approximately 2 percent by weight, to form a pelleted feed.

Abstract: A binder-diluent for direct compression tableting based on pulverized crystalline fructose is prepared by granulating the fructose with a small amount of a disaccharide syrup such as maltose syrup.

Abstract: An ingestible, high-density compressed-tablet fiber-composition having a high dietary fiber content is prepared by blending at least one high fiber source with a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid; mixing water with the blend at a rate ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1 based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; drying the plastic mass and milling the dried product to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; blending the granules with a tableting lubricant and compressing into a high-density, high fiber tablet.

Abstract: A compressible soft tablet is provided which has organoleptic qualities of a baked confection, such as a cookie, cracker or wafer, and is formed of prebaked comestibles, such as graham crackers, shortbread or other types of flour-based crumbs or even unbaked raw materials, coated with chocolate or compound coatings. Upon heating or baking, the tablet provides the taste and appearance of a baked confection.A method for preparing the soft tablet is also provided.

Abstract: Corn is popped, coated with caramel and cooled so that the caramel coating is hard and not sticky. The corn is loaded into molds in this condition and heated by blowing hot air over the corn so that the caramel coating is sticky. One or more blasts of air are jetted into the molds to stir the corn while heating. Then the molds are closed, compressing the corn into balls, cooled, and the balls ejected from the molds. Some parts of the molds are actuated by a cam surface wherein a roller follower is held against the cam surface by spring tension while other parts of the molds are actuated by air cylinder. A machine is illustrated with the mold units being mounted upon a circular mounting plate and rotated to six working stations with a dwell time at each working station.

Abstract: A biscuit, consisting of agglomerated granules of an extrusion cooked base, which are coated with a binder. The biscuit has a density of from 0.3 to 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 and a water content of from 1.5 to 4.5% by weight. The base consists of from 40 to 80 parts by weight of cereal flour, from 0 to 20 parts by weight of sucrose and from 0.5 to 3 parts by weight of oil or fat. The base has a specific weight of from 0.1 to 0.3 g/cm.sup.3. The binder consists of from 8 to 30 parts by weight of sucrose and/or mixtures of glucose and its polymers.

Abstract: Pastilles of the lozenge type based on crystalline sorbitol or fructose including, in their constituent mass, a plurality of cavities, preferably microcavities, of which some at least communicate with the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a cake from a sticky confectionary material based on sugar and cereals comprising the steps of transporting a layer of such sticky confectionary material having a uniform thickness on a surface of an endless conveyor to a position beneath at least one vertically disposed hollow cylinder whose wall is tapered at its lower end and inside which is a piston, advancing the cylinder downwardly so that it cuts through the sticky material until the lower edge of said cylinder contacts said surface and severs the sticky material within the cylinder from the layer; then advancing the piston downwardly to compress the severed sticky material to between about 40% and about 60% of its original thickness to form the cake, maintaining such compression for between 0.5 and 5.

Abstract: The flavor intensity of pressed tablets can be enhanced by combining the flavoring agents with certain hydrophilic polymers.