Abstract: A container assembly includes a plastic tub having a flexible sidewall which allows a bottom wall of the tub to be pushed toward the tub upper end, to dislodge contents of the container assembly. An outer housing surrounds the tub sidewall and is joined to the upper end of the tub.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of saccharide fatty acid polyesters via a two-step process is provided. In the first step, a saccharide is partially esterified so as to contain, on average, between about 1.5 to 3.5 lower acyl ester groups. In the second step, the partially esterified saccharide is reacted with a fatty acid-containing reagent (for example, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, salts of fatty acids, or fatty acid anhydrides) whereby the lower acyl ester groups and the hydroxyl groups on the partially esterified saccharide are replaced with fatty acid ester groups in a transesterification reaction to form a saccharide fatty acid polyesters. The use of a partially esterified saccharide as a reactant in the transesterification reaction allows for a more homogeneous reaction system, less caramelization or other decomposition reactions, and less low molecular weight ester by-product formation.

Abstract: A container for a viscous food product having a configuration which enables relatively uniform heating of the contents at an acceptable rate without scorching in a conventional microwave oven. The preferred container is made from an electrically nonconductive material having a generally ovate bottom wall and a side wall extending upward therefrom to an upper end portion. The side wall may have a substantially ovate cross-section over substantially its entire height. The ovate cross-section may have a width-to-depth ratio of approximately 2:1 over substantially its entire height. The upper end portion may convexly decrease in width proceeding upward on the container.

Abstract: A microwave-reflective device and method for enhancing microwave heating of food items. The microwave-reflective device comprises an upstanding, microwave-reflective wall. During cooking, the microwave-reflective device is maintained about the periphery of the food item, while the space inward and above the wall may be maintained free of obstructions to microwave radiation. A susceptor film may be employed beneath the food item during heating.

Abstract: An arrangement for the application of topical substances to base products. A rotatable star-shaped reel structure is rotated, in which a flowable base product is tumbled while being coated with the topical substance so as to ensure an appropriate uniform distribution of the topical substance on the surfaces of the base product while inhibiting the formation of clump-like agglomerates of coated base product on the internal surfaces of the reel.

Abstract: Doughs and batters are prepared which contain hydrated polysaccharide hydrocolloid and hydrated insoluble fiber and/or hydrated protein preferably at a weight ratio of 1:0.8-6:1.1-4.5. Preferably the hydrated materials are added to the dough or batter formulation as an aqueous dispersion. The resulting dough and batter can be baked in a conventional manner. This invention is particularly useful in the preparation of fat-free baked goods.

Abstract: A control process and apparatus enable operation of a pressurized continuous cereal cooker and discharge auger with decreased steam utilization. An electric motor advances the cooked cereal mass through a pressurized zone comprising a quick-opening valve, preferably a butterfly valve. The current drawn by the electric motor is monitored to sense the accumulation of cooked cereal mass at the valve. A process signal, representative of the current drawn by the motor, is compared to a reference signal, representative of a selected value representative of a current higher than that required to turn an empty auger. A control signal based on the comparison of the first signal and the reference signal is then generated to open or close the valve in response to the control signal. When the process signal drops below the reference signal, the valve is closed.

Abstract: Coffee brewing cycle time is improved by contacting roasted ground coffee with a brief interval of steam, e.g. 3 seconds. The steam is preferably introduced prior to contact with brewing water and may be followed by a brief interval of pause prior to introducing the water. Steam and water are preferably introduced under a moderately elevated pressure. Improvements in appearance, color, flavor, aroma and yield can be achieved along with reduced cycle time.

Abstract: A dry mix for producing a quick-setting gel which has a texture which is as desirable as gelatin gels. The mix contains as components agglomerated potassium or sodium alginate, agglomerated calcium salt, sweetening agents, food acids, buffering agents and preferably anti-oxidant. The sweetening agents can be sugars, intensive sweeteners and/or hydrolyzed starches.

Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw includes a series of segments which provide bending diaphragms. The straw also includes a distal end which is preferably in the form of a planar hollow mouthpiece having vertical wings and a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. The segments of the straw near the bottom are strengthened and a curved portion of the straw has wedge shaped segments. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the distal end of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the distal end. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use.

Abstract: A low-fat, frozen whipped topping having a fat content of 8 to 15% and which is free of milk solids and phosphate salts is formulated using weight ratios of from 1.4 to 2.2 parts chemical emulsifier and 5.0 to 6.0 parts sodium caseinate per 100 parts fat. A low-fat, non-dairy, frozen whipped topping can be prepared employing the teachings of this invention.

Abstract: Caramel confections which facilitate coating, depositing, molding and baking are prepared from a finely divided solid candy phase dispersed within a continuous fat phase. These products differ from conventional caramel products which are based on sugars and milk protein and typically exhibit a chewy texture but are difficult to mold or to otherwise handle. A powdered caramel brittle material is made by sheeting, cooling and grinding a caramel prepared by cooking aqueous milk solids with sugar to a moisture level of below 6%. Preferably, from 5 to 35% of the powdered caramel brittle is mixed with 30 to 60% granulated sugar, 17 to 40% fat, and 10 to 25% milk solids. The mixture is refined to obtain an average particle size of 0.0004 to 0.0020 inches, mixed with an emulsifying agent and additional vegetable fat, and heated as necessary to reduce the moisture level.

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: Frozen whipped topping formulations containing milk solids and glassy sodium polyphosphates having an average chain length of at least n=18 to n=50.

Abstract: A dry starch material is incorporated into a comminuted meat which is then shaped as desired. Thereafter, a dry mix containing a combination of salt having a particle size of 100% by weight minus 100 U.S. mesh and carrageenan is applied to the surface the shaped meat before cooking in a microwave or conventional oven. The cooked product retains a higher amount of moisture and has improved appearance, taste and texture as compared to cooked meat, poultry or seafood which is not treated before cooking.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a high moisture, low-fat cheddar type cheese product from skim milk. The skim milk cheddar cheese product has from about 54% to about 58% moisture and less than 1% fat. The process parameters of the method are established to provide a skim milk cheddar cheese bulk product having uniform moisture and pH. In the method of the invention, skim milk is fermented, coagulated, cut into curd and whey, cooked, drained, washed and salted at particular times and pH's. The curd particles, having about 60% moisture, are then placed into 55 gallon drums and are pressed in cheddar cheese type pressing apparatus to remove moisture and provide a curd with about 60% moisture. A foraminous plate is then placed over the drum opening. The drum is inverted and the whey which is expelled from the curd by syneresis is drained for a period of from about 10 to about 24 hours until the curd has attained a pH of from about 4.9 to about 5.4.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the manufacture of a natural cheese. In the method, moisture, salts and lactose are removed from skim milk by ultrafiltration and diafiltration to provide a retentate having between about 60% and about 85% moisture, between about 0.7% and about 2.5% salts, and less than about 1.8% lactose. A lactic acid producing cheese culture is then added to the retentate and the retentate is fermented to a pH of between about 4.8 and about 5.6. The fermentation is effected without coagulating the retentate. An emulsion is then prepared by homogenizing a mixture of an aqueous material and a fat. The emulsion contains from about 10% to about 70% fat. The fat comprises from about 25% to 100% of a polyol fatty acid polyester with the balance being a triglyceride fat. The fermented retentate and the emulsion are then blended together. A milk clotting enzyme is added to the blend and the blend is immediately subjected to evaporation.

Abstract: A method of extracting cholesterol from a milk product by shearing a mixture of oil:milk product in a ratio of between about 1:99 to about 1:4 and separating the decholesterolized milk product and oil phases.