Abstract: A resealable package integrity closure includes a film layer forming a top of container and having a flap defining an access opening to gain access to the contents of the container. A sealing panel completely covers the flap of the film layer. A releasable adhesive is provided on either or both the film layer and the sealing panel for adhering the sealing panel to the film layer. The sealing panel is releasable from the film layer by pulling the sealing panel back in a peeling direction and reclosable against the top to seal the access opening when the sealing panel is moved back against the top. A coating of transferable material is provided on either the sealing panel or on the film layer, which is transferable therebetween, respectively, when the sealing panel is pulled back from the film layer for a first time to provide a visual indication that the closure has been previously opened.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.

Abstract: An instant coffee powder has dried soluble coffee in the form of particles or granules having internal voids filled with entrapped pressurized gas. Advantageously, when the coffee powder is dissolved in a beverage, the instant coffee powder produces a foam on the top surface of the beverage.

Abstract: A method of producing a cereal bar is provided in which the cereal comprises a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces joined together with a binder, where the cereal and binder together form a cereal matrix which is heated for a time and temperature to reduce the water activity of the external portion thereof while maintaining an internal portion of the cereal matrix at a higher second water activity. The method provides cereal bars requiring less compressive force to be formed into a cohesive self-supporting structure in providing a chewy reduced-density cereal bar with improved shelf life.

Abstract: A peelable sealing structure includes a sealing layer and one or more optional additional layers. The peelable sealing structure includes a sealing surface that is formable into a peelable seal upon contact with a sealing substrate at all temperatures in a peelable seal temperature range. Moreover, the peelable sealing structure comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an additive dispersed within at least a portion of the thermoplastic polymer with the peelable sealing structure defining the sealing surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions for imparting a controlled-release sensation to the oral receptor areas of a user. The oral, controlled-release compositions include a sensate and a hydrated or swollen food-grade polymer which forms a matrix with the sensate. Sensates may include warming, cooling and/or tingling agents. Also included are oral delivery systems for the compositions, methods for preparing same, and methods for imparting and sustaining a desired sensation in the mouth and upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the user.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions for imparting a controlled-release warming sensation to the oral receptor areas of a user. The oral, controlled-release warming compositions include a warming agent and a hydrated or swollen food-grade polymer which forms a matrix with the warming agent. Also included are oral delivery systems for the warming compositions, methods for preparing same, and methods for imparting and sustaining a warming sensation in the mouth and upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the user.

Abstract: New and improved seal jaws and methods for creating a seal on a package containing a high-profile product therein are described herein. The seal jaws are configured to seal overlapping wrapping film segments together adjacent the product in a seal zone where the height of the product results in additional film width. The height of the product creates an inward pull that can prevent the additional film width from being taut, which can result in folds or wrinkles in a subsequently formed seal. Advantageously, the seal jaws described herein have a non-linear configuration that provides extra sealing surface area as compared to linear surfaces over the same lateral distance. The extra sealing surface is provided by an array of curvilinear peaks and valleys, where the peaks tension the overlapping film segments in the seal zone to substantially prevent the additional film width from forming folds in a subsequently formed seal.

Abstract: A reclosable film structure for a package is disclosed, in particular a reclosable lap seal, comprising a multiple layer film with an interior pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and methods of manufacture thereof. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is positioned between a first and a third layer on either side of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and is continuous throughout the package. The package is heat sealed at an open end to initially close the package by folding over an outer lap seal segment onto an inner lap seal segment and heat-sealing together. Upon opening the package at the lap seal, the package delaminates between the first and second layers along one of the lap seal segments, thus exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to facilitate reclosing the package, oriented away from the package interior and away from the food removal path to maintain the adhesion strength by avoiding food contact.

Abstract: A carton blank (10) for a carton is formed from a sheet material and has a plurality of foldably connected panels which form the walls of the corresponding carton. The panels include main panels (11-14) separated by a plurality of longitudinal folds (16-19) and arranged to form pairs of opposing side walls in said corresponding carton. A first pair of main panels (11, 13) are each foldably connected at either end to a respective end panel (22, 23, 26, 27), said end panels being arranged to form opposing end walls in said corresponding carton with each end wall including first and second end panels. A second pair of main panels (12, 14) are each foldably connected at either end to a transverse edge of a respective end flap (36-39).

Abstract: The present invention provides improved confectionery compositions which have a substantial reduction in the unpleasant organoleptic sensations associated with the release of functional ingredients from the confection in the oral cavity. The confectionery composition comprises a confectionery base, a functional ingredient which is a botanical or a mineral or a mineral salt having an unpleasant mouthfeel, and from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the composition of one or more fats, said amount being effective to suppress the unpleasant mouthfeel of the functional ingredient. For botanicals the confectionery composition is a hard boiled candy composition or a hard gum composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or saturated fats. For minerals or their salts the confection is a hard boiled candy composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to create a package with an easy open feature that has a fin seal spanning between opposing end seals. Flow-wrapping material utilized to form the package includes first and second opening feature portions. The first and second opening feature portions are disposed adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the flow-wrapping material. A plurality of laterally-disposed scribed lines are disposed at least partially with the first opening feature portion and a tear initiation element is disposed laterally aligned with the pluralyt of laterally-disposed scribed lines. The tear initiation element is disposed such that it is closer to the second opening feature portion than the first opening feature portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of an outer surface of a food product are provided using a fluid having properties selected for treating the surface and bringing the fluid into contact with an outer surface of the food product in a generally continuous manner in a commercial food processing environment.

Abstract: A food package for sliced food products to be maintained with a fluffed appearance, the package including a rigid base member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a rigid lid sealed to the compartment. Advantageously, the base member includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured to engage the food product to hold the slices in a fluffed arrangement thereof. Preferably, one or more tapered side wall portions hold the food product upwardly toward the lid and inwardly toward a center of the package. In preferred embodiments, the base member and lid provide a rigid-rigid construction of the food package. In preferred embodiments, the food package is also configured to stand-up in a vertical display orientation and does not require the food product be contained within a sealed pouch within the compartment.

Abstract: A reclosable consumer product package assembly (10) supports a plurality of consumable products (12). The product package retains and encloses the products. The package is formed from a planar sheet (16) folded about the products. The folded sheet (16) defines a portion overlying the products and an extending portion extending beyond the products to define a foldable flap (29). The sheet is scored at a location overlying at least a portion of the products. The foldable flap is folded over the scored location and adhesively secured thereto such that upon opening the flap, the scored location is removed from its overlying location to expose the products for dispensing. The flap is reclosable over the exposed products.

Abstract: A container for holding an edible liquid has a storage chamber for holding the liquid. The storage chamber has at least one outlet. The container also has an ingredient chamber separate from the storage chamber and for holding a flavor enhancing ingredient. A grinder is provided to communicate with the ingredient chamber for grinding the flavor enhancing ingredient. The grinder has at least one opening for dispensing the flavor enhancing ingredient on the opposite side of the grinder from the ingredient chamber.

Abstract: A packaging device for supporting and dispensing product includes an elongate package having a wall of a single sheet The elongate package encloses a plurality of adjacent product pieces in a longitudinally stacked array The package has a weakened location extending along the length of the package permitting manual serving of the package therealong to open the package to dispense the product pieces.