Abstract: A dough strip extruder, such as a lasagna noodle extruder, for extruding one or more riple edge strips is oriented to extrude the strips horizontally. The extruded strips are supported as they leave the extruder to maintain the strips in the horizontal plane of the extrusion passageway for a distance sufficient to allow complete formation of the undulations on the edges. The support may be by a roller, cylindrical rod, or horizontal plate.

Abstract: A crumb removal system has an inclined chute extending beneath a horizontal vibratory conveyor trough with an upper convex curved end of the inclined chute spaced in front of the discharge end of the conveyor trough. The spacing between the upper curved end of the chute and the discharge opening of the conveyor trough forms an opening through which fines and small pieces of broken snack food chips can fall and be separated from unbroken chips and larger pieces.

Abstract: A process for making a shelf-stable food product comprises blending a high moisture material that provides flavor and substantially all of the moisture to the stack food product with one or more low moisture farinaceous base ingredients to produce a dough, extruding the dough into the desired shape, drying the extruded dough and ultimately cooking the dried product to produce a shelf-stable food product. The high moisture material can comprise a cellular fruit or vegetable material which has been vigorously macerated, a liquid per se, such as a beverage, or a dairy product such as yogurt.

Abstract: An air lock transfer device allows the transfer of substances between environments at different pressures, without disrupting the integrity of the pressure differential therebetween and which allows for a near continuous product flow between environments. The device comprises a housing and a transfer mechanism reciprocating within the housing such that at least two product chambers within the transfer mechanism simultaneously communicate with an outlet port and one of at least two inlet ports contained in the housing to allow product to be simultaneously loaded and discharged from the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for closing the bottom end flaps of a reusable rectangular carton whereby the carton is disposed in an expanded position with the bottom end flaps biased outward with respect to the carton sidewalls. A sequence controller is programmed to release the bias and fold each bottom end flap in a predetermined sequence. A closure is effected by disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.

Abstract: In a method for effecting evaluation of consumer products by test panel members, the panel members receive a set of test materials which include an evaluation set of products, a video tape containing a video presentation of members of the evaluation set and means for ordering products free of charge. The choices made by the panel members provide information as to preferences between test products and established brands. The evaluation process is repeated over several cycles to provide information regarding long term purchase habits and product sustainability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a wide variety of seasoning material utilizes a hopper for the seasoning material and a tube having one end in fluid communication with the hopper. The tube extends outwardly from the hopper and terminates at a distal end thereof, the tube having a feed section adjacent the hopper and a seasoning delivery section between the feed section and the distal end of the tube. The dispenser includes a motor-driven auger extending from the hopper through the feed section and the delivery section of the tube. Seasoning distribution aperture(s) start at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section on a side of the tube at least 10.degree. from the bottom of the tube so that seasoning exits the side of the tube at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section.

Abstract: A resealable package for snack food items and a method of making the same from a sheet of flexible material. Two side edges of the sheet are joined together in a seam, with a flap extending longitudinally from an exterior surface of the package. A resealable adhesive is disposed beneath the flap, whereby the flap serves as a release strip to protect the adhesive until use. The consumer re-closes the package by removing the release strip to expose the adhesive. The package then is folded downward a number of times until the exterior surface of the package is secured to the adhesive.

Abstract: A novel package assembly and method are disclosed whereby a food product having a moisture content of less than 5 weight percent is disposed in a sealed package in which a sealed packet of an aqueous solution is also disposed; so that upon exposure to microwave radiation, the solution in the sealed packet vaporizes, rupture the packet and is dispersed as steam throughout the sealed package, whereby the temperature of the low moisture food product is increased.