Abstract: The heat recovery system includes an oven having a treatment air with a treatment air temperature and a treatment air dew point temperature to treat a product or product in process. A zone outlet exhaust waste treatment air following the treatment of the product. A preheating zone includes a preheating inlet for the introduction of preheating air having a preheating air temperature and a preheating air dew point temperature to preheat the product. A transfer duct extends between the zone outlet of the oven and the preheating zone to transfer a portion of waste treatment air from the oven to the preheating zone to create the preheating air to preheat additional product. The preheating air preheats the product in the preheating zone to a product temperature that is at least equal to the treatment air dew point temperature to eliminate surface condensation on the product during treatment in the oven.

Abstract: A food processing system is disclosed. The food processing system includes a food scaling portion, a food bagging portion and a chute portion connecting the food scaling portion to the food bagging portion. The food processing system also includes a foreign object sensor arranged about the chute portion. The foreign object sensor and the chute portion cooperatively form a foreign object sensing zone within a passage formed by the chute portion that extends along a portion of a length of the chute portion. The food processing system also includes at least one sensor testing conduit extending through one or both of the food scaling portion and the chute portion. An exit opening of the at least one sensor testing conduit is arranged in an opposing relationship with respect to the foreign object sensing zone. A foreign object sensor apparatus for detecting non-foodstuff material is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for displaying merchandise includes a first tray member including a passage extending from a first end of the first tray member to a second end of the first tray member. The passage includes a support bed extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the passage, and a ramp extending from the support bed to the second end at an oblique angle. The system further includes a second tray member including the passage. The second tray member is received by the first end of the first tray member, and is operable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the passage has a first length and in the second position the passage has a second length. The system further includes a pusher disposed within the passage and operable between a first position adjacent the ramp, and a second position spaced apart from the ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

Abstract: A storage assembly comprises a sleeve and a container. The sleeve defines an interior void operable to receive a foodstuff. The container defines an interior cavity operable to receive the sleeve. The container includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A first flap is attached to the first sidewall and a second flap is attached to the second sidewall. The second flap includes at least one clip removably attached to the second sidewall. The clip comprises an aperture for receiving a portion of the sleeve therein.

Abstract: A system for applying a fastening material to a substrate is provided. The system may include a first material source including the substrate. The substrate may define a first length extending from a first edge to a second edge and the first material source may feed the substrate in a first direction transverse to the first length. The system may additionally include a second material source including the fastening material. The fastening material may define a second length extending from a third edge to a fourth edge, whereby the second length is substantially equal to the first length and the second material source feeds the fastening material in a second direction transverse to the second length. The system may also include an applicator system that secures the fastening material to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing flake-like cereal without the use of a flaking mill.

Abstract: A method for media content tracking is disclosed. The method includes receiving a user identifier and instructing display systems to display media content based on the user identifier. Each display system has a corresponding screen. The method also includes receiving image data from an imaging system configured to have a field of view arranged to capture images of a user. The method further includes determining gaze characteristics of the user including a gaze target of the user. The method further includes determining whether the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens. When the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens, the method includes determining a time period of gaze engagement with the corresponding screen. The method also includes storing at least one of the gaze characteristics and the media content or an identifier of the media content displayed on the screen corresponding to the gaze target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of reducing the formation of acrylamide in a thermally processed food product and to cooked food products with reduced acrylamide. The method comprises providing a food product or food intermediate in need of reduction of formation of acrylamide during thermal processing and applying a bran composition to the food product or food intermediate in an amount effective to reduce formation of acrylamide during thermal processing to a level that is lower than if the composition had not been applied.

Abstract: A method for product compliance includes receiving, at data processing hardware, a planogram defining a representative placement of a product on a display shelf and receiving at least one image from an imaging device having a field of view arranged to capture a top surface of the display shelf. The method also includes determining whether the product is disposed on the display shelf based on the at least one image. When the product is disposed on the display shelf, the method includes determining an actual placement of the product on the display shelf and comparing the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product defined by the planogram. The method further includes determining a planogram compliance based on the comparison of the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product and communicating the planogram compliance to a network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing high protein flakes comprising forming a protein into a protein pellet and introducing the protein pellet and a food component into a cooker. The protein pellet and the food component are cooked in the cooker to give a cooked food product. The food product is then formed into a high protein flake.

Abstract: A method for media content tracking is disclosed. The method includes receiving a user identifier and instructing display systems to display media content based on the user identifier. Each display system has a corresponding screen. The method also includes receiving image data from an imaging system configured to have a field of view arranged to capture images of a user. The method further includes determining gaze characteristics of the user including a gaze target of the user. The method further includes determining whether the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens. When the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens, the method includes determining a time period of gaze engagement with the corresponding screen. The method also includes storing at least one of the gaze characteristics and the media content or an identifier of the media content displayed on the screen corresponding to the gaze target.

Abstract: A transportable container for flowable bulk goods includes a bottom support and a stretch wrap spirally wrapped around the bottom support and extending vertically in relationship to the bottom support. Bulk goods are disposed within the stretch wrap and at least of portion of the bulk goods are disposed in direct contact with the stretch wrap to squeeze the bulk goods together and generate hoop forces for stabilizing the bulk goods in the transportable container. The transportable container has a shape that varies radially in vertical relationship to the bottom support for adjusting the hoop forces vertically along the transportable container. The varied shape of the transportable container can be, for example, tapered, hour-glass shaped, or pumpkin shaped.