Abstract: In the process of producing corn-based pellets, preconditioner steam and water addition, as well as extruder water or screw configuration and RPM, can be manipulated to precisely control the cook level, gelatinization, and moisture level of the meal during processing, and level of defects despite minor variation in the characteristics of the corn flour. Specifically, the preconditioner added steam-to-water ratio can be manipulated to effect cook, hydration, and partial gelatinization of the meal. In the extruder, lower extruder rotational speeds increase the residence time and increases cook. With the increase in residence time the volume of bed pack in the extruder increases. This can be reversed by adding water directly into the extruder, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the meal in the extruder. Product bulk density is changed by increasing and decreasing cook of the meal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for distributing a food product, such as potato chips, which reduces the problem of staling. A plurality of stopper gates are placed adjacent to a plurality of slide doors on the downstream end of a distribution conveyor such that when the gate is closed the product is held over the slide door.

Abstract: A food storage container has a generally rigid tubular sleeve with a generally constant cross-sectional shape along the length thereof and with first and second open ends. A flexible inner storage bag is located within the generally rigid tubular sleeve for storing a food product, and, most preferably, for storing potato chips or other food chips. A generally rigid sleeve includes a first tab adjacent the first open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward and a second tab adjacent the second open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward. These first and second tabs retain the inner storage bag within the sleeve. The tabs can be manually moved aside to access the inner bag and thus the food contents therein.

Abstract: In the process of producing masa based expandable pellets, preconditioner steam and water addition, as well as extruder water and RPM, can be manipulated to precisely control the cook level, gelatinization, and moisture level of the meal during processing, and level of defects despite minor variation in the characteristics of the masa flour. Specifically, the preconditioner added steam-to-water ratio can be manipulated to effect cook, hydration, and partial gelatinization of the meal. In the extruder, lower extruder rotational speeds increase the residence time and increases cook. With the increase in residence time the volume of bed pack in the extruder increases. This can be reversed by adding water directly into the extruder, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the meal in the extruder. Product bulk density is changed by increasing and decreasing cook of the meal.

Abstract: A item separating or debris eliminating system includes a tank and a pump for circulating water from one end of the tank around through a duct and back into the opposite end of the tank. A medium density object collector is located within the tank, and a light debris collector is located within the tank. A conveyor filter is included through which substantially all of the water in the tank is circulated. The debris eliminating system preferably also includes a high density object collector within the tank. The system can be used to separate a variety of objects having different densities and terminal velocities in a fluid. Most preferably, the system is utilized for separating debris from potatoes and the like produce.

Abstract: A plastic packaging material which, when formed as a package having seams, will provide a predictable line of failure along a seam when the package is opened to prevent the package from tearing down the side. The predictable failure path is provided through a lamination process involving specific resins or blends of resins laminated in three (or more) layers in which an extruded inner layer forms a weak inner bond wholly within that inner layer to create the predictable line of failure and in which the process of forming the material does not inhibit processing speed, efficiency, and economics of materials used to provide this reliable openability.

Abstract: A burner set adaptable to standard commercial ovens that allows for the quick change-out of burners. Sockets, threaded on one end and open on the other end, are installed in existing threaded couplings in communication with a burner manifold. Each socket has a burner guide attached to the open end and receives a burner in the open end. The burners are secured to the oven by a burner support with a pivotally attached gate.

Abstract: A method for redeeming collectible points using on-line bidding for promotional items. Promotional points are collected by consumer purchases of products associated with the points or other consumer behavior. Consumers accumulate the points and then redeem them by bidding on promotional items posted for fixed periods of time on an internet site. The method provides for fixed promotional inventory costs as well as the timely collection of consumer preference information. One embodiment of the invention also provides for parental approval of a minor's participation.

Abstract: A modular display for consumer products, contains a support frame, several modular display shelves that can be displaced in a rotating manner upwards and downwards in relation to the frame, several containment elements that can slide laterally on a support grille, frontal securing elements and bracket elements that allow the modular shelves to rotate. The modular display allows the products to stay organized, contained and permanently at the front of the display. The display also facilitates the counting and distribution of the products. In addition, the modular display allows products of different dimensions, to be displayed, by simple adjustments to their configuration.

Abstract: An improved breakaway container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and reliable breakage mechanism using a thumb cut scoring. By applying pressure to the thumb cut scoring, a tear is initiated in a circumferential scoring, thereby allowing for the separation of excess container wall from the container.

Abstract: A hollow snack food product is prepared by finish cooking a hollow pellet product. The hollow pellet is manufactured from a pre-cooked, predominantly corn-masa based dough which contains sufficient vital wheat gluten to allow the pellet to open up and assume the desired hollow structure upon cutting. The pellets are prepared by overlaying dough sheets, stretching the dough sheets to impart strain thereto, and then cutting individual pieces from the stretched sheets.

Abstract: An improved food container for packaging a chip and dip product and providing a tray for holding the chip and dip product while it is consumed. The tray design nests a bag of chips or like product with a cup of dip or like product in a single contiguous compartment designed for vertical display.

Abstract: An improved breakaway container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and reliable breakage mechanism using a thumb cut scoring. By applying pressure to the thumb cut scoring, a tear is initiated in a circumferential scoring, thereby allowing for the separation of excess container wall from the container.

Abstract: A method for making bowl-shaped snack food products, e.g. tortilla chips. The method features placing chip preforms in open bowl-shaped cavities and partially frying the chip preforms by filling them with hot oil from above. Additionally, the preforms are partially fried from below by immersing the lower portions of the preforms in a vat of hot oil and transporting them through the hot oil. After cooking the preforms to a desired moisture content, at which point the preforms retain their bowl shapes outside of or independent of the mold cavities, the preforms are removed from the mold cavities and subsequently cooked to completion in a secondary frying operation.