Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an optical characteristic, such as color, of an object having two edges comprises a support for the object, a stop member slideable but releasably secureable to the support in a variety of different positions allowing for variation of the position of the stop member in two dimensions, and an optical instrument for measuring the desired optical characteristic. In use, the two edges of the object to be tested are abutted against two stop surfaces on the stop member and the optical instrument lowered adjacent the object to determine the optical characteristic of a portion of the object beneath the instrument. A number of similar objects can be tested by abutting them in turn against the stop surfaces of the stop member.

Abstract: A vertical cooker vessel is used for cooking a grain product. The cooker is vertically oriented and has a conical baffle so as to ensure plug flow so that grain is neither undercooked nor overcooked. The cooking water fills the vessel and maintained at a predetermined elevated temperature while a continuous stream of water is drawn off through a sieve in the bottom portion of the cooker, then recirculating the water, mixing with raw grain, and then heating, where steam is added to reheat the water and grain. The mixture is added to the top of the vessel. Cooked grain exits from the bottom of the cooker under control of a metering pump. Grain is separated from the water, with water from the separator returning to a mixer for mixing with the recycled water. A conical baffle is located near the sieve. This ensures plug flow of grain through the cooker. A lower second conical baffle prevents turbulent flow beneath the first conical baffle, which flow would otherwise disrupt plug flow.

Abstract: A leavening composition for chemically leavening crackers is disclosed, which composition comprises ammonium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and an edible acidic component.

Abstract: A low-melting fat, which has a solid fat index of less than 13 at 80.degree. F., and which is essentially completely liquid at about 100.degree. F., is added to cookie dough containing flavor particles, such as chocolate chips, raisins, cherries or berries, in such an amount that the low-melting fat comprises from 5 to 30 percent by weight of the total weight of fat and/or shortening in the dough. The low-melting fat reduces halo effects in the resulting cookie.

Abstract: A nozzle permits extrusion of an outer, expanded dough layer having two filler materials co-extruded therewith. An adjusting mechanism is provided for precisely locating two filler injection conduits with a surrounding guide nozzle. A pillow-shaped final product is formed, having an outer layer of expanded dough and two different filler materials.

Abstract: Novel ether bridged polyester compositions are disclosed. Two multibasic acids, e.g., citric acid and isomers thereof, are joined by an ether-like linkage. (The citric acid molecule provides an hydroxyl which may be used in the ether linkage.) The carboxyls of the multibasic acid moieties of the new compounds may then have long chain fatty alcohols esterified thereto to provide the subject ether bridged polyesters. The superficial appearance of the polyester portions of the novel compounds is that of a triglyceride; however, upon close examination of the ester linkage, it is apparent that the novel compounds are reverse esters when compared to true triglycerides. It has been determined that a minimum of three reverse ester alkyl chains must be present on the molecule in order to consider it as a fat mimetic. The utility of the disclosed compositions is as a low to non-caloric fat substitute in food products. Additionally, the ether bridged polyesters may be used as lubricants for machinery.

Abstract: A confectionary bar is disclosed that contains a natural fruit center which is encapsulated in a layer of caramel. This caramel layer has an embedded layer of nuts. This combination of a natural fruit center encapsulated in caramel having embedded nuts is then enrobed in a compound coating, usually a chocolate-flavored compound coating. The confectionery bar should have a water activity level of less than about 0.50 at 25.degree. C. The natural fruit portion of the confectionery bar should have a water activity level of less than 0.65 at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus includes a housing having parallel top and bottom surfaces and a converging portion and a cooperating diamond-shaped flow bar for aligning fibers during extrusion of a meat dough. The flow bar is disposed in the housing such that trailing faces of the flow bar are parallel to the converging faces of the apparatus and the leading faces of the flow bar converge with the parallel faces of the housing and are spaced therefrom a distance to effect fiber alignment. The flow bar is rotatably mounted within the housing to control and vary the extent of fiber alignment as desired. A discharge nozzle is provided having a constricted portion tapering longitudinally and transversely toward the center of the nozzle to ensure fiber alignment throughout the width of the extruded dough. The extruder is able to effect substantial fiber alignment across a wide extrudate such that when cut into individual pieces, each piece will have a substantial portion of fibers uniformly aligned.

Abstract: An arcuate mold element for use in a rotary dough molder having a plurality of depressions with perimeters defining the outlines of foodstuffs. The bottoms of each of the depressions having an arcuate surface with at least one raised ridge which lies entirely within the depression.

Abstract: The present invention involves a liquid egg product combined with discrete moisture and melt stable cheese solid particles that may be cooked after extended storage to produce an egg dish having organoleptic properties that resemble such a dish prepared with fresh whole eggs and cheese. Preferably, the liquid egg product is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and calories.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for screening microorganisms for the production of extracellular enzymes. Colonies growing on the surface of a solid medium capable of extracellular enzyme synthesis are identified by reacting the enzyme or enzyme product surrounding each cology with an analytically indicatable reagent which does not adversely effect the viability of said colonies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for manufacturing, from a coextrusion, food pieces wherein an inner food is fully or partially enrobed by an outer food. In one embodiment the inner food is a dough that is enrobed by an outer dough by severing the outer dough with a blunt severing edge on a severing element which, as it enters the coextrusion, simultaneously draws the outer dough over the inner dough on both sides of the element to form the food piece. A coextrusion of an inner dough inside an outer dough is formed below a die with the extrusion of the inner dough periodically interrupted to form a region in the coextrusion where there is a greater amount of outer dough. A pair of severing elements are operatively located at a predetermined distance below the die where convergence of the severing elements cuts the extrusion in a region having a greater amount of outer dough while simultaneously drawing the outer dough over the inner dough above and below the severing elements.

Abstract: A system for processing a chewing gum composition. The system comprises segment forming apparatus to form the gum into a multitude of segments, and a conveyor to receive the gum segments from the segment forming apparatus and to move those gum segments along a path. The system further comprises a plurality of extruders located along the conveyor to receive the gum segments therefrom and to extrude those gum segments into ropes of gum; and a plurality of wrapping units to receive those ropes of gum, to cut each rope into a multitude of pieces and to wrap those pieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining dough that takes into account the different flow regimes exhibited by the dough during processing. As in conventional systems, the apparatus includes a hopper for extruding dough in a sheet and pairs of powered rollers for sizing the sheet. A computer controls the system. Mass flow rate is made constant throughout the system by establishing a master flow rate based upon predetermined criteria related to the product being produced, and the computer monitors the weight of the extruded sheet to maintain a constant input to the powered rollers. The flow rate is varied to remain constant by comparing the input to output, as measured by the sheet thickness at the cutter station. The gage rollers are controlled by setting a nominal roller speed, trimmed according to the tension present in the sheet upstream of the gage roll, as reflected in the position of a loop in the dough sheet between the gage roll and the pair of rolls immediately upstream of same.

Abstract: Sucrose fatty acid polyesters having six to eight hydroxyl groups esterified per molecule are synthesized in a dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupling of sucrose lower esters with fatty acids in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The procedure avoids the solubility, viscosity and phase separation problems encountered in previously described syntheses, and the product of the condensation is free of contamination by alkali metal soaps used and the sucrose decomposition products formed in other methods.

Abstract: The distribution of flowable material falling onto a lower surface containing goods which are in the process of being baked can be periodically determined by disposing a multi-sectioned sampling device below the device that is distributing the flowable material to collect a representative sample of the flowable material, and then to analyze the amount of flowable material in each section of the multi-sectioned sampling device. When the flowable material is a solid or a liquid the multi-sectioned device is a multi-chambered device. When the flowable material is a viscous liquid the multi-sectioned device is an array of plates held in a framing.

Abstract: Baked goods comprising a base portion and a filling or upper portion are prepared by applying the filling or upper portion dough to the base portion so that the filling or dough penetrates grooves in the dough of the base portion. The filling or upper portion is baked in place to cause the two portions to adhere and bond together. In an embodiment, a pet egg treat has the general shape of a longitudinal or transverse slice of hard-boiled egg. The yolk portion contains real egg yolk solids, while the outer egg-shaped portion contains flour, egg solids and any type of nutritious meal, including meat meal, fish meal, oat meal, or the like. Flavorings, as well as vitamins, coloring agents, and minerals can be included. The treat is hard and helps to clean pets' teeth and gums, and provides chewing exercise for pets.