Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by forming one or two vertical creases along opposing sides of the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The vertical crease is formed using a pivoting tucker mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube. A novel method is also disclosed for adjusting the orientation of labeling on the packaging film, which results in the production of innovative packages.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of an electromagnetic generator and a pressure bladder located within a biological body in such a position to take advantage of the pressure fluctuations found within that body to produce electrical power. The invention uses these pressure fluctuations to displace the moving parts of a generator, to produce electricity in accordance with the Faraday principal, to power implanted devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light fixture assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a light bulb socket with an opening at one end for accommodating C7/C9 light bulbs and at least one opening at the second end. The socket includes a conductor that places a light bulb into electrical contact with electrical wires inserted through the side of the socket. The assembly also includes a base attached to the second end of the socket. The base includes a wire clamp that fits through the opening in the second end of the socket and holds the electrical wires in contact with the conductor. Retaining clips on the base apply a retaining force against the socket to hold the base in place. A strong magnet is embedded in the base, thereby allowing the assembly to be mounted magnetically to metal surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a object locator device, convertible between an undeployed state and a deployed state, comprising an inflatable portion (2) of at least two linear portions arranged such that the angle between them is less than 180° when the device is in the deployed state, each linear portion being attached to an indicator portion (15) formed by a sheet, means for attachment of the device to the object at one or more pivot points and means (62) for inflation of the inflatable portion.

Abstract: A mold form fryer utilizing a top conveyor that transports snack pieces through a constant velocity oil stream without the need of a bottom mating mold or conveyor. Herein, the form fryer having a fryer housing for controlling the frying atmosphere is provided with a top conveyor disposed above a fryer oil pan positioned longitudinally through the fryer. Uncooked snack pieces are provided to the fryer oil pan by a bottom entrance conveyor. A steam shield separates a front-end vestibule from the downstream portion of the fryer housing, and inert gas manifolds introduce inert gas into the front-end vestibule, thereby providing a sufficiently low oxygen and sufficiently low condensable gas or steam environment near the product submerging point.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an intermediary product in the form of a nut-based pellet that is capable of being stored for up to about six months. To form the nut pellets, a nut dough is passed through an extruder. The extrudate produced is then cut into pellets and dried. Starch pellets can then optionally be mixed with the nut pellets or small nut pieces and cooked to form a snack chip. The snack chip is formed by compressing and cooking the pellet mixture, expanding the pellet mixture, and compressing the pellet mixture again.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.

Abstract: A process for the production of fresh masa, nixtamalized flour and derived products. The invention is a new process for production of corn masa (dough) to be used in the production of tortillas, fried or baked tortilla chips, tostadas, or corn chips. The new process produces masa directly from raw materials without the traditional cooking and steeping steps. It utilizes a series of processing steps including dry blending, hydrating, and working dough in an extruder having a unique screw configuration. The new process uses very little water and emits no waste water.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the peeling, cooking, and rejecting unit operations. For example, the peeling unit operation can be modified to provide a more fully peeled potato slice. The cooking unit operation can be modified by cooking to higher moisture and/or at lower hot oil temperatures to minimize the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation. The rejection unit operation can be modified to reject defects that result in high levels of acrylamide.

Abstract: Modified slicing shoes and method for making food product shavings. A conventional slicing shoe for insertion into a slicing head assembly used in conjunction with a centrifugal type slicing machine is modified. The modified slicing shoes comprise a cutting edge having top and bottom ends that protrude towards the interior of a slicing head assembly as a vertex protrudes away from the interior such that the blade is not confined to one plane. In one embodiment, the slicing shoe blade cutting edge and its components comprise a V-shape having an angle that ranges from between about 90° to about 140°. In a second embodiment, the slicing shoe and its components are curvilinear having a curvature ranging from about 1.5 cm to about 2.0 cm. The shape of the blade and its corresponding components allow for the production of snack chips having folded or curled shapes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transfer switch having an easily removable weatherproof door and hood, allowing a user to optionally mount the switch on the interior or exterior of a structure. The weatherproof door and hood work together to protect the transfer switch from exposure to rain and other unwanted substances that would otherwise harm the components within the switch if mounted on the exterior of a structure. Removable fasteners corresponding to pre-drilled holes in the main compartment of the switch are used to secure the door and hood to the main compartment of the switch, permitting a user to easily remove them if the switch is to be mounted on the interior of a structure.

Abstract: A multi-layer film with barrier properties having one or more layers made from a bio-based film is disclosed. In one aspect, a multi-layer packaging film including (a) an outer layer including a bio-based film, wherein the bio-based film is polylactide, (b) an adhesive layer adjacent to the outer layer and (c) a product side layer including a metalized polyolefin having barrier properties, wherein the multi-layer packaging film is a flexible film.

Abstract: A method and formulation are disclosed for using a mixture of inulin and surfactant to overcome adhesive and viscoelastic problems associated with using tortilla sheeters for processing rice-based dough to make rice crisps. The inulin decreases viscoelasticity whereas the surfactant decreases adhesiveness. The additive decouples the relationship between water content and the adhesiveness and viscoelasticity of the dough, allowing water content to be used to control other product variables such as product moisture content and oil take-up.

Abstract: An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising a substantially annular high-permeability core, the core including at least one magnet therein to define a magnetic circuit, at least one rotatable bearing mounting the core to at least one bearing support, the at least one bearing permitting the core to pivot about a pivot axis, a gap provided in the core, a body of high-permeability material located in the gap, the body being spaced from respective end faces of the core by a respective spacing whereby pivoting movement of the core about the pivot axis causes relative movement between the end faces of the core and the body, and a rotationally fixed coil surrounding a length of the core coaxially with the pivot axis.