Abstract: The invention comprises a leavened dough composition including flour, a protein source, a leavening agent, and a processing adjuvant. Preferably, the protein source is a cereal protein, such as gluten. The invention also comprises a method of increasing specific volume in a baked product by removing the water in the dough composition and introducing the processing adjuvant. The invention also comprises a baked product resulting from the method of the invention.

Abstract: An egg product having a reduced amount of free water comprising at least 30 wt-% whole egg; glycerol; maltodextrin; egg white powder; powdered shortening; liquid egg yolk, and salt. This egg product has a A.sub.w of about 0.80 to 0.95. Food products comprising this egg product, including baked goods and other products having the egg product as a filling or topping, that may be frozen and reheated without the egg product developing a tough or rubbery texture.

Abstract: An apparatus applies a strip or stream of fluid to a moving dough sheet. The apparatus has a fluid flow regulator coupled to a fluid source providing positive pressure, and a nozzle coupled to the fluid flow regulator and disposed proximate the dough sheet such that drops of fluid emerging from the nozzle contact the dough sheet before falling from the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dough composition. According to the method, a first batter comprising water and a leavening acid is formed. A second batter comprising water and a leavening base is also formed. After each batter is formed separately, the first and second batters are combined to formulate a dough wherein said dough proofs rapidly and provides a higher specific volume upon baking. A dough composition is formulated from two separate batters, a first batter comprising water and a leavening acid, and a second batter comprising water and a leavening base. When the two batters are combined, with flour, the resulting dough comprises from about 30 wt-% to about 60 wt-% flour; from about 20 wt-% to about 40 wt-% water; from about 0.1 wt-% to about 2.0 wt-% leavening acid; from about 0.1 wt-% to about 2.0 wt-% leavening acid. The dough proofs rapidly and, once baked, provides a specific volume ranging from about 2 cc/g to 5 cc/g.

Abstract: A liquid distribution apparatus for distributing liquid to a dough product includes a source of liquid and an enclosure fluidly coupled to the source of liquid for receiving liquid. The enclosure includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes through which the liquid exits the enclosure. Preferably, a plurality of guide structures on the enclosure guide the liquid to a bottom surface of the enclosure whereat the liquid drops to the dough product. In a further embodiment, a plurality of guiding elements receives the liquid from the plurality of spaced-apart holes and guides the liquid to the dough product. Each guiding element includes a first end disposed proximate the enclosure to receive liquid from one of the plurality of spaced-apart holes and a second end remote from each corresponding first end.

Abstract: A conveyor moves a dough sheet along a dough travel path. A filling applicator, located proximate the dough travel path, applies filling to the dough sheet. A cooler is located downstream of the filling applicator along the dough travel path. The cooler cools the filling applied to the dough sheet sufficiently to increase viscosity of the filling prior to the dough sheet being rolled to form a rolled dough product.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for making a bread dough that remains unfrozen at a temperature as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit and that has a specific volume and flavor, when baked after storage at freezing temperatures, that is substantially the same as bread baked from a nonfrozen dough not subjected to storage. The present invention also includes a pre-proofed, uncooked dough that is provided with improved storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention includes a yeast cell utilizing solely galactose as a carbohydrate source in the presence of glucose.

Abstract: A method of reducing syruping in refrigerated dough compositions is disclosed. The method includes formulating a dough composition comprising flour, preferably wheat flour, and water, and adding a xylan compound to the refrigerated dough composition at a specified concentration. Upon refrigerating and storing the dough composition, reduced syruping is noted. Also disclosed is a baked good comprising this dough product and a method of inhibiting the enzymatic degradation of arabinoxylans and syruping in refrigerated dough compositions. The method is useful for any number of doughs which are subjected to refrigerated storage, such as, for example, bread doughs, biscuit doughs, roll doughs, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides refrigeratable yeast-leavened dough compositions and methods of making such doughs. In a first embodiment, a dough composition of the invention is made by rehydrating dried yeast at chilled temperatures, which causes selective lysing (a loss in the selectivity of the yeast plasma membrane). Such a dough composition exhibits a cold sensitivity in that the yeast is capable of leavening the dough at elevated temperatures, but becomes inactive at refrigeration temperatures. In another embodiment, the dough composition and the strain of yeast used therein are chosen to limit the total leavening action of the yeast by controlling the amount of substrate in the dough fermentable by the yeast. In a third embodiment, a dough comprises a mixture of flour, water and a mutant yeast which is low temperature sensitive. Such an "lts" yeast is active at elevated temperatures, but becomes substantially inactive at refrigeration temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cap assembly that includes a cap with a single annular lug that has a retaining surface and an annular flange attachable to the cap by contact with the retaining surface.

Abstract: An effective oxygen barrier which can substantially extend the shelf life of oxygen sensitive products comprising at least outer and inner plies of a polymeric material and a substantially anaerobic space between the two or more plies.

Abstract: The present invention includes a yeast cell utilizing solely galactose as a carbohydrate source in the presence of glucose.

Abstract: A conveyorized commercial broiler apparatus has upper and lower burners above and below the conveyor for broiling meat products carried on the conveyor. A plurality of perforated sheet grids are provided to control flame flare-ups and cause the fat that may drip onto the perforated sheets to be vaporized and quickly and cleanly burn prior to pyrolization. The perforated sheets are selected to be low thermal mass, and thus relatively thin and perforated to a point where they have preferably between 25% and 75% open area. The perforated sheets are positioned in selected locations to control combustion and vaporization of fat rendered from the meat product being broiled.

Abstract: A food container includes a recessed film membrane which seals the container. The recessed film membrane is applied with an apparatus which includes a container holder and a film membrane applicator. The film membrane applicator applies the film membrane to the container and seals the film membrane to the container. The applicator includes a sealing head which places the film membrane into the container. The sealing head seals an edge of the film membrane to an inner wall of the container using heat. The film membrane is moved through the applicator and cut. The sealing head includes two lips to provide a double seal between the film membrane and the inner wall of the container.

Abstract: A method is described for removing capsaicinoids from a pepper whereby the pepper's placental membrane is exposed to an aqueous solution. Preferably, the pepper or peppers will be cut in sizes ranging from minced to longitudinal cuts to expose and rupture the placental membrane, allowing an aqueous solution to contact, physically wash, and solubilize the capsaicinoids. In the preferred embodiment, the peppers are minced and placed in a heated aqueous solution. The aqueous solution pepper mixture is then agitated at a mixing speed tip velocity of between about 30 feet/minute and about 270 feet/minute. The peppers are then removed from the aqueous solution and rinsed to remove excess aqueous solution from the peppers. The method permits extraction of the capsaicinoids, while maintaining the peppers' natural flavor, texture, and color.

Abstract: A method of forming a food product that includes dehydrated food pieces coated with a preselected amount of edible particles. The method includes providing dehydrated food pieces having outer surfaces. Next, a fat is provided that is substantially solid at room temperature and substantially flowable at a temperature of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The fat is preheated to a temperature which is at least hot enough to cause the fat to flow. Next, food pieces are coated on their outer surfaces with the flowable fat and are further coated with coating particles. The resulting coating is nonflowable even at temperatures which exceed a temperature which caused a majority of the fat without the particles to flow.

Abstract: A dough sheet sensor comprises a sensing roller, a pivot, a roller support arm and an adjustable counterweight. The sensing roller is displaceable in a first direction as a function of tension in a dough sheet. The roller support arm supports the sensing roller and is attached to the pivot. The adjustable counterweight is attached to the roller support arm and positioned opposite to the pivot with respect to the sensing roller for counterbalancing the sensing roller and the roller support arm. A non-contact distance sensor is operably coupled to the sensing roller through a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a length that varies with the sensing roller displacement.

Abstract: The present invention includes a lid with a channel for use in sealing a pressurizable can, the lid having a channel for releasing gases generated within the can while substantially preventing the release of liquid from the can. The present invention also includes a method for venting gases from a can having a lid without degrading material stored in the can and substantially preventing the release of liquid from the can. The method includes making a channel in the lid, with the channel traversing the lid.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a mandrel insertable in a food product container. The mandrel supports the container in a fixed position by contacting an inner surface of the container. The mandrel is locatable on a support apparatus so that as the mandrel and container are rotated on the support apparatus, the container remains in a fixed axial position. Spaced-apart cutting knives contact an outer surface of the container to cut the sample therefrom while the mandrel and container are rotated.