Abstract: Apparatus for handling edible products, comprising means for laying down a length of edible product on to a takeoff conveyor and cutting the length into sections, characterized by the use of a line of successive travelling turntables along and on which the length is laid, and by cutting the length into sections between the turntables in a manner which allows relative separation by rotation of the cut sections, and by rotating each turntable carrying a cut section through a defined angle, thereby to present a cut end of the section substantially transversely of the line of the conveyor.

Abstract: In a composite frozen confection product having ice confection material in contact with a layer of fat-based coating confection comprising a suspension of flavoring and sweetening solids in a fat component, the improvement wherein the fat component of the coating confection has:(a) a solids content index in each of the following ranges:70-93% at -20.degree. C.;65-93% at -10.degree. C.;55-90% at 0.degree. C.;15-40% at 20.degree. C.;0-12% at 30.degree. C.; and0% at 40.degree. C.;(b) a slip melting point in the range 23.degree. C. to 32.degree. C.;(c) a viscosity at 40.degree. C. .eta..sub.100 of at least 35 centipoise, and a viscosity at 40.degree. C. .eta..sub.CA of at least 30 centipoise; and wherein the coating confection contains 30-70% by weight of the fat component and has a viscosity at 40.degree. C. of .eta..sub.3 at least 25 poise; .eta..sub.100 at least 2.0 poise and .eta..sub.CA at least 2.2 poise.

Abstract: Composite (novel) confection products comprise a multiplicity (e.g. at least 4) of superimposed extruded thin (e.g. less than about 5 mm thick) layers of extrudable e.g. aerated frozen confection, optionally separated by interleaved very thin sound confection layers such as couverture thin enough to be at least partly discontinuous. Apparatus and processing for their production involve use of slotted extrusion outlets for example in multiple or reciprocating arrangements, provided with intermediate spray or secondary feed devices.

Abstract: Egg noodles with high lecithin content are made by (a) mixing eggs with lecithin having a high level of purity to form a slurry, (b) blending the slurry with flour to produce a dough of bread-like consistency, (c) extruding the dough to form noodles (d) cutting the noodles and (e) drying the noodles.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ice confection or other foodstuff with projecting and relatively recessed relief features of its outer surface, by extruding the ice confection or other extrudable edible material from a rotating extrusion nozzle having a cross-section with an assymetrical configuration with respect to the rotation axis, with the extruded material passing from the nozzle immediately into an unconfined space and on to an elongate travelling conveyor which does not share the rotational motion of the extrusion nozzle, thereby to lay down on the conveyor an extended spirally-formed extrudate with projecting and relatively recessed relief features derived from its extrusion through the nozzle of assymetrical configuration.

Abstract: Fumaric acid is used in combination with critical amounts of acetic acid to preserve acid containing food products from microbiological spoilage in the absence of or at reduced levels of chemical preservative.

Abstract: A composite frozen confection comprising an ice confection in contact with a layer of fat-based confectionery, said confectionery being a suspension of sweetening and flavoring solids in an edible fat, wherein the edible fat includes a fat composition which is an interesterified mixture of about 75% to 90% of a lauric acid or oil and about 10% to 25% of a non-lauric oil having(a) solids content index (SCI) values (%) in each of the following ranges:70-93 at -20.degree. C.65-93 at -10.degree. C.55-90 at 0.degree. C.15-40 at 20.degree. C.0-12 at 30.degree. C. and,0 at 35.degree. C.;(b) slip melting point in the range 23.degree.-32.degree. C., and(c) a brittleness time of at least 45 seconds.

Abstract: A composite ice confection product comprises an open-ended wafer with an internal fat-based coating and filled with the ice confection, a continuous fat-based capping covers the open-end(s) of the wafer. In a preferred process for preparing the product the capping is formed, for example by applying it below its slip-melting point and in fluid condition, in such a way that it forms with the internal coating a substantially expermeable envelope around the ice confection. A suitable apparatus is described in which the fat-based confection for the capping can be maintained fluid by shear and optionally also by overpressure.

Abstract: An infusion package that has a natural, expanded, unflattened or three-dimensional condition is folded to a flattened configuration to pack in quantity. The expanded condition gives greater internal volume by which infusion is improved and quickened. A pull string, affixed near the flattening folds, unfolds the package from its flattened configuration. To make the package, a tube can be formed into a generally tetrahedral shape by forming seams across it, each at 90.degree. to the preceding seam, severing the package so formed, and folding inward across one end seam to the tetrahedron to effect the flattening.

Abstract: A composite frozen confection containing a layer of ice confection and a layer or coating of fat based confectionery having suspended therein flavoring and sweetening solids wherein the fat composition has a SCI of:70-93 at -20.degree. C.60-93 at -10.degree. C.55-90 at 0.degree. C.15-40 at 20.degree. C.0-12 at 30.degree. C.0 at 40.degree. C.A slip melting point in the range of 25.degree.-45.degree. C., and a coating pliability parameter of at least 3. The frozen confection may also include a dry confection such as a wafer wherein the fat based confection separates the ice confection from such dry confection.

Abstract: Composite confection of a biscuit or wafer with a frozen confection the biscuit or wafer having a converture of a sweetened fat-containing composition having a slip M.P in the range of 27.degree.-34.degree. C. and a viscosity at 46.degree. C. of N.sub.3 at 10 poise, N.sub.100 at least 2.0 poise, and N.sub.CA at least 1.2 poise.

Abstract: A reformed rice product is made by extruding a dough through a low-pressure, pasta-type extruder to form simulated rice grains which are then dried at a temperature of up to 150.degree. C. to a final moisture content not exceeding 15% of the product. The dough is made by adding water to a dry composition comprising a mixture of pregelatinized and ungelatinized flour, sodium chloride and fat in powder form.

Abstract: A process for forming a moulded confection, such as an ice confection, which has a protruding or re-entrant shape (i.e. with a surface portion having a negative draft angle with respect to a desired direction of mould release), characterized by:(a) filling a mouldable confection mix into a thin-walled flexible elastic mould having a cavity corresponding to said protruding or re-entrant shape, and also having in its wall at least one thin-walled flexible elastic cleft or pleat; and(b) solidifying the mouldable mix within the mould, and withdrawing the solidified confection mix from the mould so as to cause the mould to distort and the cleft or pleat to open or unfold and release a confection of said protruding or re-entrant shape from the mould.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous concentrate which can be pasteurized and subsequently reconstituted into a lump-free, thick soup, sauce, gravy or dessert, which process involves producing a concentrate in which are incorporated:(i) a proportion of starch sufficient to obtain a product of the desired degree of creaminess,(ii) a proportion of an appropriate osmotic-pressure increasing agent, sufficient to substantially reduce the rate of swelling of starch granules and prevent gelatinization of said starch during pasteurization, and(iii) a proportion of a water-activity depressing agent conducive to a water activity not exceeding 0.92.

Abstract: An infusion package that has a natural, expanded, unflattened or three-dimensional condition is folded to a flattened configuration to pack in quantity. The expanded condition gives greater internal volume by which infusion is improved and quickened. A pull string, affixed near the flattening folds, unfolds the package from its flattened configuration. To make the package, a tube can be formed into a generally tetrahedral shape by forming seams across it, each at 90.degree. to the preceding seam, severing the package so formed, and folding inward across one end seam to the tetrahedron to effect the flattening.

Abstract: A process for binding pieces of cooked meat together to produce a unitary product by impregnating pieces of uncooked meat with an aqueous solution containing a source of phosphate ions, cooking the meat, coating the cooked meat with an edible, heat-settable, thermostable glue containing an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of mono-diglycerides derived from stearic acid and sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, compacting the coated pieces of meat and heating the compacted pieces of meat to obtain a product which on reheating remains cohesive.

Abstract: A method of spraying a liquid to form a predetermined image on an article in which the liquid is sprayed through a pair of stencils spaced apart preferably 2 mm to 8 mm and each having apertures corresponding to the shape and size of the desired image. The definition of the image is improved and surplus liquid cannot reach the article.