Abstract: A simple extrusion die is provided for converting a co-extrusion apparatus to a single-material extruder. The extruder has a pair of side-by-side outlets in a coupling member, an eccentric mounting plate of the die attaches to the coupling member, blocking one of the extruder outlets.

Abstract: Dough pieces are produced in high volume by a plurality of dual extruders spaced across a conveyor and each having a pair of extrusion nozzles aligned in the direction of conveyor travel. A cut-off mechanism severs the dough extrusions to deposit dough pieces on the conveyor. The speed of the conveyor is related to the speed of the cut-off mechanism so that the dough pieces produced by each extruder form a single uniformly spaced line. The extruders are fed from a common supply through individual inlets and means are provided to balance the flow through the nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing laminated products, such as candy, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of continuously forming a semifluid sheet of a first material on a longitudinally extending conveyor, depositing a semifluid second material on the sheet of the first material, continuously rolling the sheet from the edges thereof inwardly to form a double roll extending longitudinally along the conveyor, and flattening the roll into a laminated sheet product. The method further includes the steps of forming the sheet into a "rope" of substantially smaller width than the sheet by folding the sheet over itself from the edges of the sheet and allowing the rope to move transversely across a slower moving conveyor so that the rope bunches up on the conveyor. The rope is then flattened by a roller. The method also includes the step of causing the sheet to longitudinally fold over itself so as to form laminations.

Abstract: Process for treating relatively light-colored dates grown domestically to impart thereto the relatively darker appearance, the flavor, the soft-chewy texture and the shelf-stability of imported dates grown in the Middle East region. The process involves steaming domestic dates at a temperature of at least 175.degree. F. and for a period of time which is sufficient to darken the domestic dates throughout to substantially the same darkness as that of imparted dates. The steamed domestic dates are then dried to provide shelf-stable, treated dates. At no time before or during the process is a liquefied composition containing water and an effective amount of at least one saccharide sugar sweetening agent applied to or contacted with the domestic dates. The size and shape of the shelf-stable, treated dates are substantially the same as the size and shape of the starting domestic dates. Domestic dates are generally of the sucrose-type dates, whereas the imported dates are generally of the inverted-sugar type dates.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously forming individual products pieces containing filler therein and having large perforations in the top layer. A first continuous flat dough sheet is formed and transported on a conveyor belt. Portions of the filler are periodically deposited on the first dough sheet. A second continuous flat dough sheet is formed and transported on a conveyor belt of a material to which the dough of the second continuous flat dough sheet adheres in response to pressure. A device for moving cutting elements through the second dough sheet forms a multitude of holes and presses the perimeter of each dough piece therein so as to adhere to the conveyor belt. An arrangement lifts the second dough sheet off of the conveyor belt means without disturbing the cut out dough pieces adhered thereto.

Abstract: Reduced calorie crackers produced from dough compositions are disclosed which contain 25-70 percent of flour, 0-20 percent of gluten, 0-10 percent fat or shortening, 5-20 percent of a water-soluble polydextrose, 0-5 percent of one or more emulsifiers, 0.5-5 percent of a leavening system comprising yeast and a carbon dioxide-releasing material, and 1.5-10 percent of a cellulosic bulking agent, all percentage being by weight based upon the total weight of the dough, and the total amount of fat, shortening and emulsifier being 3-10 percent weight of the dough. The crackers may be produced either by a one-stage process in which all the ingredients are mixed together prior to fermentation, or by a two-stage process using a sponge stage followed by a dough-up stage. The crackers are desirably produced, in the one-stage process, using a single, rather than a multiple, lamination technique.

Abstract: Reduced calorie cookies having a pH of from about 6.8 to about 9.0 are disclosed which exhibit the desirable texture, mouth-feel and appearance of conventional cookies. An alkaline agent and a leavening system which is predominantly active during baking are used to control pH and textures of the cookies. The cookie contains as a preferred cellulosic bulking agent microcrystalline cellulose. An aqueous solution of the water-soluble polydextrose is used as a replacement for shortening or fat and sugar to avoid lump formation. Powdered or insoluble polydextroses or polymaltoses are incorporated into the dough in the dough forming stage rather than in the creaming stage to enhance crispiness and achieve further caloric reductions.

Abstract: Process of preparing a dry, instant, wheat farina-like product in flake form which will readily rehydrate upon the addition of hot water. Farina is impregnated with a sufficient amount of water to saturate the farina. The wetted farina is tempered, preferably with agitation, to produce a material having uniform moisture. The tempered material is cooked, the average particle size of the cooked material being increased thereby. The average particle size of the cooked material is then reduced. The particulate material is flaked to form a dry product in flake form. The flaked material is dried. The dried, flaked material is capable of being readily rehydrated by the addition thereto of hot water to provide a food product having the texture, etc., of cooked farina.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the resolubilization of an insoluble glucose isomerase-amine complex, wherein the amine has the general formula: ##STR1## The insoluble enzyme complex may be resolubilized to produce a stable concentrated and purified glucose isomerase preparation by reaction with a resolubilizing mixture comprising a cation exchange resin.

Abstract: A sugar-free instant-type pudding and a hydratable dry mix for preparation thereof, the essential ingredients of which are a pregelatinized thickening starch, a non-sugar bulking/dispersing agent, phosphate gelling agents, a non-sugar sweetening agent and small but effective amounts of both carrageenan and an alginate to provide a texture and setting properties in the pudding which closely approximate those of sugar-containing instant puddings and, in turn, traditional cooked-starch puddings.

Abstract: A nut flavor concentrate is prepared by extraction of nut meat (whole peanut, peanut meal, partially defatted peanuts, etc.) with an aqueous glycerol solution followed by removal of water from the extract. The concentrate so prepared is free from certain components normally present in the nut meat which have a deleterious effect on flavor. The concentrate is employed to impart nut flavor to nuts, candies and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making icing utilizing a modified chocolate mixing machine. An icing slurry made of a mixture of fat and sugar is prepared and pumped into the mixing machine. The mixing machine has a plurality of independently controlled temperature zones. The icing slurry is mixed and propelled through these temperature zones by a plurality of blades attached to a rotor. The mixing machine has cooling plates between the blades. The cooling plates congeal the icing as it is being mixed. The icing is also aerated during this process. This process produces an icing having small beta prime fat crystals which allow the icing to "set-up" rapidly. This invention also includes the product of the process.

Abstract: A compressible soft tablet is provided which has organoleptic qualities of a baked confection, such as a cookie, cracker or wafer, and is formed of prebaked comestibles, such as graham crackers, shortbread or other types of flour-based crumbs or even unbaked raw materials, coated with chocolate or compound coatings. Upon heating or baking, the tablet provides the taste and appearance of a baked confection.A method for preparing the soft tablet is also provided.

Abstract: A dough guide is used to precisely control thickness of an expanding dough extrudate. The extrudate is forced through at least two vertical slots in an extrusion head, at relatively high pressure and at a temperature at least equal to the boiling temperature of water.The dough guide has three plates. A middle plate is fixed between the slots. Two movable plates are disposed on opposite sides of each slot from the middle plate. A threaded rod is used to selectively adjust the location of each of the movable plates. In alternative embodiments, any number of slots are used, each having two guides adjacent it. Any or all of the guides may be made selectively movable. A product called "crisp bread" may be made thereby.

Abstract: A machine for continuously depositing a sorbitol-sweetened hard candy confection which allows the manufacture of such hard candies in a continuous commercial high volume operation. The machine deposits the hard crystalline candies from an aqueous sorbitol solution having a crystalline seeding material therein, such that the sorbitol solution must be maintained in the depositing machine within a relatively narrow temperature range to prevent rapid thickening of the solution at too low temperatures and destruction of the crystalline seeding materials at too high temperatures. The machine includes a heated hopper for the aqueous sorbitol solution and a heated depositing base, through which the aqueous sorbitol solution is deposited through an array of nozzles into candy molds positioned therebeneath. The depositing base is fabricated with heating medium passageways therein, through which a heating medium is circulated.

Abstract: A rotary cutter assembly and means for cutting and scoring a continuous web of shredded grain product which includes in combination slitting means which receives the web from a conveyor, cuts the web in the linear direction, and transfers the web in the machine direction. The assembly also includes a driven cutter wheel arranged separately from the slitting means which receives the continuous web after it has been slit, cuts, crimps and scores the web in the transverse direction at selected intervals. An endless transfer belt is mounted on the cutter wheel and is driven by the wheel whereby the web is transferred in the machine direction.

Abstract: Chewing gum products are structured in layered form with all the water sensitive components of the formulation being placed in a core layer and encased in outer layers of water insensitive materials.

Abstract: Baker's yeast, having a moisture content of from about 65 to about 75 percent by weight, is provided in a free-flowing particulate form by dispersing throughout a particulate baker's yeast, having a moisture content of from about 65 to 75 percent by weight, a small but effective amount of a finely-divided insoluble salt of an alkaline earth metal, particularly calcium sterate, magnesium sterate, tricalcium phosphate, or mixtures thereof without added acid. The resultant baker's yeast exhibits increased flowability and is retained in free-flowing particulate form for extended periods of time under a variety of conditions. As compared to baker's yeast which has not been treated with the alkaline earth metal salt, the treated baker's yeast exhibits no loss in leavening activity.

Abstract: An exit orifice of an outer extrusion port of a coextrusion apparatus for producing a composite doughy rope-like extrudate product has a D-shaped cross-section with a straight boundary line or edge located at an upstream side of the exit orifice relative to the direction of motion of a conveyor for taking up and transporting the extrudate product. The D-shaped cross-section of the exit orifice results in an extrudate product having on one side a flat surface which engages the surface of the conveyor upon deposition of the product thereon. An inner extrusion port recessed by a distance from the outer extrusion port has an exit orifice with a substantially oval cross-section taking the form of a pair of semicircular end portions joined by a rectangular central portion. The cross-sections of the exit orifices are elongated in a direction extending parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor.

Abstract: Round dough pieces having an inner portion enveloped by a dissimilar outer portion are formed without generating waste by continuously extruding two dissimilar materials to form an extrudate rope having a core of one material and an outer tube of the other material, depositing the extrudate rope on a continuously moving conveyor, pinching the extrudate rope at predetermined intervals to form spaced sections of reduced width, and separating the extrudate rope into individual dough pieces at said reduced width sections.