Abstract: A reclosable bag-like container which is constituted of a flexible semi-rigid plastic material and which is adapted to store pourable contents, preferably, such as dry cereals, snacks, sugar, salt, cake mixes and similar types of foodstuffs or comestibles. The container includes a resealable corner dispensing spout which can be closed by interengaging slide fastener elements.

Abstract: An easy-open and tamper-evident beverage container and opening system for the beverage container are provided which include a container barrier wall. The barrier wall has a series of slits therein which define a pierceable straw hole. The series of slits divides the barrier wall into a hole portion and a remainder portion, with the hole portion connected to the remainder portion by attachment points provided between adjacent slits of the series. A membrane seal is located inside of the container and sealingly covers the straw hole. This membrane seal is liquid impervious and includes (a) an outer portion which is sealed to an inside surface of the front barrier wall about the straw hole, and (b) an inner portion integral with the outer portion which is not sealed to the inside surface of the barrier wall and which covers the straw hole.

Abstract: A quick-setting gel mix suitable for preparing dessert gels with improved clarity contains sodium and/or potassium alginate, a slowly-soluble calcium salt, an anti-oxidant, such as ascorbic acid, and a catalyst, such as copper gluconate and/or ferric sulfate, in amounts effective to promote clarity within the gel.

Abstract: A new form of green color is prepared by specially treating copper chlorophyllin to make it acid-stable and cold-water-soluble. The new composition has a unique combination of properties makes it especially suitable for use in dry mix compositions for preparing acidic beverages and foods such as gelatin desserts. The dry, water-soluble, acid-stable green coloring composition contains copper chlorophyllin, a solid fixative and a hydrophilic surfactant. The weight ratio of the copper chlorophyllin to the hydrophilic surfactant is in the range of from about 1:1 to 1:6. For beverages and gelatin dessert mixes, flavor and sufficient acid are employed to achieve a pH of less than 4 when the dry mix composition is mixed with water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fixing and/or preserving labile materials, especially food materials, in an extruded glassy substrate. A minor component containing of a high molecular weight water-soluble polymeric carbohydrate is dry-blended with a major component comprising of a low molecular weight water-soluble carbohydrate, sugar alcohol or food acid. Typically, the carbohydrate admixture comprises between about 15% to 40% high molecular weight carbohydrate material and at least about 40% low molecular weight carbohydrate, sugar alcohols or adipic, malic or citric acids or combinations thereof. A labile material like omega-3 oils or .beta.-carotene is combined with this substrate mixture. The dry-blended admixture is extruded so that the temperature of the material in the extruder is between about the glass transition state of the substrate and the melting point of the major ingredient. The free-flowing product is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high fix.

Abstract: As aspartame-sweetened, acidic beverage mix is formulated wherein at least 20% of the aspartame is in bulk (i.e., needle-shaped crystalline particles) form and least 35% of the aspartame is coated onto acid particles. The beverage mix is well suited for powdered, sugar-free, ice tea mixes, particularly fruit-flavored mixes.

Abstract: A flexible pouch is provided which includes a flexible product-confining compartment that is folded upon itself. The compartment has a closure assembly adjacent to its mouth, and a wrap-around flexible flap extends above or beyond the mouth. A deadfold strip is associated with the flexible flap such that the flexible flap can wrap partially or entirely around the compartment, depending primarily upon the amount of product within the compartment, with the compartment also folded on itself in response to the amount of product within the compartment.

Abstract: A foldable flat sheet includes eyeglasses formed therein and which may be folded to construct a container, such as a rectangular-shaped sleeve. The foldable flat sheet is constructed with fold lines, the point where the temple bars of the eyeglasses join the eye aperture portion being positioned at these fold lines to allow the eyeglasses to be easily fitted to the wearer's face upon removal from the container. The eyeglasses may be constructed to allow 3-dimensional viewing therethrough.

Abstract: A sealed container includes a base jar for containing a substance and a removable lid for closing and sealing the base jar. The base jar includes a bottom wall, a side enclosure extending upwardly from the bottom wall having an upper portion with a screw thread, and an upper wall extending inwardly and upwardly from the upper portion of the side enclosure having a circular brim which defines a wide mouth opening for the base jar. The removable lid includes a top wall and an encircling member extending downwardly therefrom with a screw thread which matingly engages with the screw thread of the upper wall of the base jar. For sealing with the base jar, the removable lid also includes a circular projection extending downwardly from the lid which engages and seals with the circular brim.

Abstract: A boil-in-a-bag pouch provided with a handle for grasping and lifting the pouch and including a easy opening mechanism The opening of the pouch is facilitated by a longitudinal line of weakness spaced a short distance from one longitudinal edge of the pouch in combination with either a lateral cut from the edge of the pouch to the line of weakness or one or more interruptions in the lateral seals used to form and seal the pouch through which the line of weakness passes. The interruptions in the lateral seal are small enough to prevent egress of the product from the pouch and are located so as to permit the pouch to be torn open along the line of weakness through the interruptions in the lateral seals. In this manner, a pouch is provided that has both a handle and an easy opening feature.

Abstract: A method for modifying an aroma-containing gas comprising volatile components recovered from coffee, characterized by contacting the aroma-containing gas with molecule sieve carbon oxidized with a strong acid is disclosed. This method removes undesirable components from the coffee aroma-containing gas by adsorption.

Abstract: A product package includes a vertical container in which a base product is located and a lid assembly. The container has a top opening and a side periphery while the lid assembly include a lid which closes the top opening of the container. The lid includes (a) a peripheral skirt which engages the side periphery to hold the lid in place, (b) a top extending centrally of the peripheral skirt and having a top band extending centrally from adjacent the upper end of the peripheral skirt and a depression which extends downwards from the top band to a position substantially equal to or above the lower edge of the skirt, and (c) a peripheral retention lip which extends upwards and inwards from the top band. The lid assembly also includes an insert having a peripheral border. The insert is sized such that the peripheral border is retained underneath of the peripheral retention lip so that the insert is held on the lid.

Abstract: A multi-container package includes several individually sealed containers which are easily separable from one another by weakened zones between adjacent containers. Each container includes a tab portion over which the peel tab of the lid extends. Dimples in either the peel tab or tab portion facilitate their separation. Several multi-container packages are manufactured as a unit using a die and conventional heat sealing processes, and then are separated from one another by transverse cuts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making a soluble espresso coffee powder with improved in-cup foam comprising the steps of:(1) foaming the coffee extract by gas injection;(2) homogenizing the foamed extract of step(l) to reduce gas bubble size to five microns or less; and(3) spray drying the homogenized extract of step (2) under drier outlet temperature and spray pressure conditions effective to produce a soluble espresso coffee powder wherein a majority of void space in the soluble espresso powder is comprised of gas bubbles having a size of 10 microns or less.The resulting soluble espresso coffee powder, upon reconstitution with hot water, produces a foam which simulates the foam formed on espresso made from roasted and ground espresso coffee.

Abstract: A container for holding contents such as particulate material under pressure. A lid of the container has a bend that operatively engages the inside sidewall of the container, preferably a bead located in said sidewall to form a restricted passage therebetween. The restricted passage enables venting of the pressurized gas within the container while substantially retaining the particulate product. The restricted passage can additionally have a spray control material located therein.

Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and an opening system for the beverage container are provided which include a container barrier wall having a straw hole. An easy-open tamper-evident membrane seal is located inside of the container and sealingly covers the straw hole. This membrane seal includes an outer portion which is sealed to an inside surface of the barrier wall about the straw hole and which terminates at a distance from the straw hole. This outer portion includes fingers which extend toward the straw hole. The membrane seal also includes an inner portion integral with the outer portion which is not sealed to the inside surface and which covers the straw hole so that in use the straw pierces the inner portion after being inserted into the straw hole. Preferably, the fingers form a sinusoidal intersection of the inner and outer portions, and the inner and outer portions as well as the straw hole are concentric.