Abstract: Successive flat skillets (S) are picked from a stack (12) and fed to a conveyor (2) by a mechanism which has devices gripping adjacent side faces to a fold line of a skillet to open the skillets to their tubular form during the transfer movement. The gripping devices (22,24) pivot on an axis coincident with the skillet fold line to allow the skillet to be opened to its full tubular form without distortion. The mechanism is so arranged that the skillet reservoir stack (12) can be oriented in a plane substantially parallel to the conveyor path for the opened skillets, in order to minimize space requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for tag and thread assembly for tagged infusion packets. Spaced tags from a strip of tags and a length of thread are laid over each other on the periphery of a first assembly wheel and the thread is drawn out in loops between successive tags. The spaced tags and looped thread are transferred to a second assembly wheel where they are connected to a web of sheet material that is to form the infusion packets. The web is subsequently formed into a series of compartments in which infusion material is contained. The compartments are severed from the web for forming the individual packets and the thread is simultaneously severed between the packets.

Abstract: A package containing a flowable infusible material which has a drawstring that passes out of the interior of the package via a first exit point and a second exit point and means which constrains said drawstring adjacent at least two sides. The arrangement is such that pulling the ends of the drawstring in substantially opposite directions causes the drawstring to move relative to the sides it engages thus allowing the package to collapse. Preferred embodiments of the package are rectangular, square or circular in shape.

Abstract: A package for containing a flowable infusible material comprising a closed bag made from a porous material. The bag has a first side, a second side that opposes the first side and two other sides. The package also has a drawstring that passes out of the interior of the package via a first exit point located adjacent one end of the first side and a second exit point located adjacent the other end of the first side. Means are provided to constrain the drawstring against adjacent the ends of the second side and at some intermediate point along each of said other sides (preferably near the midpoint). The arrangement being such that pulling the ends of the drawstring in substantially opposite directions causes the drawstring to move relative to the sides it engages and thus enable the package to collapse.

Abstract: Packets are produced by forming a continuous web (W) of packaging material into a tubular form around a tube (4) through which the packet filling material is delivered, the individual packets being sealed and severed from the web as each dose of filling material is delivered. A valve (24) to control the dosing is provided at the exit end of the delivery tube. The sealing and severing of the packets is performed by mutually transverse pairs of rotors (36, 38) the arms (92) of which interdigitate to make successive seals in mutually transverse directions, so forming tetrahedral packets.

Abstract: A method of obtaining selected tea polyphenol or theaflavin antioxidants in proportions reflective of those in natural tea is disclosed. The method employs a water solubilization of tea cream coupled with a mixed water/organic solvent extraction of the tea cream. The purified materials prepared are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tea products as well as a process for their preparation are described. They are prepared by adding high methoxy pectin to an acidified tea extract obtained from low temperature extraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for tag and thread assembly for tagged infusion packets. Spaced tags from a strip of tags and a length of thread are laid over each other on the periphery of a first assembly wheel and the thread is drawn out in loops between successive tags. The spaced tags and looped thread are transferred to a second assembly wheel where they are connected to a web of sheet material that is to form the infusion packets. The web is subsequently formed into a series of compartments in which infusion material is contained. The compartments are severed from the web for forming the individual packets and the thread is simultaneously severed between the packets.

Abstract: A pourable acidic dressing containing selected non-starch polysaccharides in the form of sheared gel particles to suspend particulate materials in the dressing. The dressing contains up to small amounts of xanthan which are rheologically acceptable.

Abstract: A method for preparing a product containing a continuous phase of heat settable lean meat emulsion having dispersed therein a discontinuous phase of a water-in-oil emulsion. The water-in-oil emulsion has a continuous phase of fat and a discontinuous aqueous phase containing a gellable meat broth. A product prepared by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a product containing a continuous phase of heat set lean meat emulsion having dispersed therein a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-in-oil emulsion. The discontinuous phase has a continuous phase of fat and a discontinuous aqueous phase containing a gellable meat broth. A product prepared by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ground or chopped meat product containing a continuous phase of heat settable meat emulsion and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase of a water-in-oil emulsion. The discontinuous phase itself has a continuous phase of fat and an aqueous gelling solution as a discontinuous phase. A process for preparing the product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A meat product comprising a meat phase and an aqueous phase, said aqueous phase comprising at least two gelling agents which form at least two distinct gelled phases, each gelling agent having a gel-melting temperature of at least 40.degree. C.