Abstract: A vertical fill, form and seal (VFFS) apparatus for particulates that facilitates the close-packing (“settling”) of the particulates such that a smaller package is needed to contain a mass of particulates in a charge to the VFFS apparatus. The former of the VFFS apparatus, and an associated film driver, move up and down synchronously and in a controlled manner. A partially formed bag, below the former, containing particulates is shaken up and down as the former moves up and down, while the packaging film travels downward continuously in the apparatus. The shaking causes the particulates to settle, and to increase in bulk density. This allows use of less packaging, and lowers use of transportation fuel. In an embodiment, an actuator is in mechanical communication with the former (and its associated film driver) to apply a vertical reciprocating force to the former.

Abstract: A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a food snack placed on a surface and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Abstract: An improved package precursor, resealable package, assembly, and methods and systems for their manufacture. In a first aspect, the precursor comprises a wrapper and at least one primary seal region of the wrapper. The reseal region comprises a cold-seal-adhesive-coated region and is configured to adhere to itself when pressed against itself. The cold-seal-adhesive-coated region can be located on an interior region of the wrapper that does not overlap the primary seal region, thereby avoiding interference with primary seals. The reseal region of the wrapper is configured to form at least a portion of a product containment surface of the package and at least a portion of a product-facing surface of the package. In a second aspect, the improved package precursor forms an improved resealable package for a product. In a third aspect, an assembly comprises the improved resealable package and a product contained by the package.

Abstract: A novel salt composition and a corresponding method of manufacture are described herein. The salt composition is formed from a plurality of salt crystals with a surface area of at least 0.19-0.23 m2/g and a Hall density of less than 0.8 g/cm3. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the salt composition has a hopper cube morphology.

Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.

Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation apparatus includes a housing defining a separation chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlet orifices. A separation screen, which is located within the separation chamber, has a plurality of openings having fixed, non-uniform sizes. The separation apparatus also includes an adjustable feed placement device located upstream from the separation screen to direct a feed stream to a selected region of the separation screen to achieve a desired size distribution in each of the product streams.

Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.

Abstract: A feedback and feedforward as well as a statistical predictive control system and method for continuously controlling texture of a food snack in a manufacturing process. The feedback system includes a quantitative texture measuring tool that is positioned downstream of a food processing unit. The texture measuring tool continuously measures a texture attribute of food snack from the food processing unit and feeds back texture attribute information to a controller that controls input parameters to food processing unit such that the texture attribute of a resultant food snack falls within an acceptable limit. The texture measuring tool comprises an excitation tool that strikes the food snack and produces an acoustic signal that is processed by a data processing unit. The data processing unit identifies relevant frequencies in the acoustic signal and quantitatively measures a texture attribute based on a correlated model that includes the relevant frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a ribbon of uncooked embossed dough into separated pieces patterned/shaped like the embossed pattern. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart rollers for receiving a ribbon of dough there between. One of rollers has a pattern embossed on its surface to emboss the ribbon of dough with the pattern. The surface embossing and the spacing between the rollers maintains the structural integrity of the embossed ribbon of dough. The apparatus has a two spaced apart rotating arms to receive the embossed dough ribbon there between. A plurality of spaced apart fingers extend outward along the length of each of the arms and are configured to tear the dough, without sticking, into dough pieces reflecting shapes embossed in the dough ribbon. The dough pieces can be dried, and patterned shaped pieces are separated out for expansion to three dimensions by cooking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.

Abstract: Disclosed are unique resealable packages for snacks. Some embodiments comprise rigid sidewalls configured to structurally support a flexible bag to maintain the thickness of the bag as it is laid on its back and opened for product consumption. In addition, disclosed packages include a resealable flexible flap having a raised pull tab for use by a consumer to peel open the bag by separating this flap from the front of the bag, and then resealing the bag by laying the flap back over the opening. The rigid sidewalls allow the integrity of the product to be maintained after the bag is resealed so that the product is not crushed if the bag is stored for later use. Edges of the peelable flap are coated with a resealable adhesive, while one side or end of the flap is connected to a portion of the bag's front surface.

Abstract: A snack food container having a square base, side walls substantially consisting of four right triangular panels and two isosceles triangular panels, and a flat, two dimensional end seal. The container is opened by use of a tear feature just below the end seal. The container is of paperboard construction and is resealable by virtue of a score line on each side of the container located below the end seal in combination with a horizontal cut through the container located below one score line. After opening, the container can be resealed by folding the container over the score lines towards the horizontal cut. An edge of the container is then secured in the horizontal cut.

Abstract: A novel system and apparatus for bagmaking is disclosed herein. In particular, a former assembly is described which includes a collar flange having an aperture passing through from a first side to a second side. A wing assembly, which is mounted to the collar flange, has a former wing and a crown tube. The crown tube extends at least partially through the aperture of the collar flange. The former assembly also includes a transition tube having an elongate cylindrical body that passes through the crown tube and the aperture of the collar flange. A set of handles extends from the collar flange towards an upstream end of the elongate cylindrical body. Additionally, the former assembly has a center of gravity, determined from a reference coordinate system, with a y-component that is not further than 43 mm from the y-axis.

Abstract: A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a liquid. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a surface of a liquid contained in a container and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Textures of liquids are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Abstract: A non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an ultrasound excitation device, an acoustic capturing device, an ultrasound capturing device and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool and the ultrasound excitation tool direct energy towards a food snack placed on a surface and produce an acoustic signal and an ultrasound signal. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal and ultrasound signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated FL 2512 is disclosed. The invention relates to tubers of potato cultivar FL 2512, to seeds of potato cultivar FL 2512, to plants and plant parts of potato cultivar FL 2512, to food products produced from potato cultivar FL 2512, and to methods for producing a potato plant by crossing potato cultivar FL 2512 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a transgenic potato plant and to the transgenic potato plants and parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato plants and plant parts derived from potato cultivar FL 2512, to methods for producing other potato plants or plant parts derived from potato cultivar FL 2512 and to the potato plants and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar FL 2512 with another potato cultivar.

Abstract: A potato chip that has more oil near its outer surfaces than in its interior and a unique RVA profile is disclosed. The organoleptic properties of the inventive potato chips compare favorably to known and commercially available potato chips.