Abstract: Methods and systems for customized pet food are described. Generally, the systems and methods comprises obtaining a pet profile information from a user, which includes at least one of a species, an activity level, a medical history, a breed, a gender, a breeding status, a feeding method, an age, a spayed/neutered status, a snack schedule, a biological sample, a body condition, a dental health, a coat information, a digestive health information and a weight of the pet. The methods and systems may also comprise obtaining a second pet profile information from a user, related to a preference regarding an ingredient, a food form, a flavor, a protein source, a shape and a texture. The methods and systems also may include correlating the first pet profile information and second pet profile information to a stored nutritional information to determine a pre-made pet blend based.

Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage has a capsule body with a capsule base and a filling side. A cavity for accommodating a pulverulent or liquid beverage base is formed between the capsule base and the filling side, and a filter element is arranged between the beverage base and the capsule base The filter element includes an open-pore felt and/or nonwoven. The felt and/or the nonwoven have/has an average first pore size in a first region which faces the beverage base and an average second pore size in a second region which faces the capsule base, wherein the first pore size is smaller than the second pore size.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing frozen confectionery products is provided, the apparatus comprising: means for supplying a frozen confection to the inlets of a nozzle; the nozzle comprising a chamber and an extrusion plate, wherein the extrusion plate defines one or more apertures; the apertures having a width of from 1 to 5 mm and a length of at least 10 mm; means for moving the nozzle in the opposite direction to the direction of extrusion.

Abstract: A fluidized bed coffee roaster controls air flow and/or temperature to maintain a desired time-temperature roast profile. The roaster may also provide a two stage quenching cycle for rapidly cooling roasted coffee beans to ambient temperature. In a first stage of the quenching cycle unheated air is passed through the roasted beans while they are still in the roasting chamber of the fluidized bed roaster. In a second stage of the quenching cycle which is carried out outside of the roasting chamber, in a fluidized bed quenching station, unheated air is flowed through, and fluidizes, the roasted coffee beans cooling them to ambient temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for continuously producing foaming compositions from powders, granules, and/or particulate are provided and/or powders, granules, and/or particulates that contains high pressure gas. The methods and systems are configured to reduce energy costs and overall processing time and, thus, provide advantages over the prior batch processes that have lengthy temperature ramp-up and cool-down times due to the shortcomings of using a large pressure vessel.

Abstract: A system for producing food products may include an inner tube configured to extrude a first component, and an outer tube provided about the inner tube to define an annular space through which a second component is extruded, the inner and outer tubes (alone or in conjunction with a nozzle or other extrusion mechanism defining an outlet. Additionally, a collagen head can be configured to apply a layer of collagen gel over the second component. The inner and outer tubes are sized, and flow rate may be configured such that an initial diameter of the first component exiting the outlet is substantially smaller than a final diameter of the first component, and an initial thickness of the second component exiting the outlet is substantially greater than a final thickness of the second component.

Abstract: A method for preparing a drink by passing hot water in a capsule (1), in which first at least one cut (10) extending in a linear fashion is made through the second wall (3) of the capsule (1), substantially without removing material from it. The adjacent portions (11) of the second wall (3) delimiting the cut (10) are then allowed to draw near one another again if necessary, then, by injecting hot water into the capsule, the internal pressure in the capsule is increased to cause at least partial expulsion of the air contained in it substantially without dispensing the liquid, and, then, by deformation of the second wall (3), the adjacent portions (11) delimiting the cut (10) are moved away from one another, allowing the drink to flow out. The invention also relates to an apparatus and a capsule for implementing this method.

Abstract: A coffee pod which can be used for machines for preparing and dispensing coffee beverages that comprise at least one extraction chamber, and at least one piston for compacting a predetermined amount of ground coffee inserted into the extraction chamber. The pod includes: a predetermined amount of ground coffee compacted into an aggregate of ground coffee beans, having an outer shape suitable for rolling, and preferably a substantially spherical ball shape; and a filter casing formed of at least one pervious, microporous or microperforated sheet or film, trapping and matching the shape of the compacted coffee aggregate. The sheet or film is flexible, having stretchability properties with an elongation at rupture of at least 30% and an ultimate tensile strength of less than 2,000 N/m, and a thickness of at least 150 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a capsule (1) defining a closed chamber for enclosing a mass of soluble and/or extractable food material, for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising: (i) capsule side walls (2), (ii) a top membrane (3) pierceable by injection means (4) of the machine which are adapted to inject an extraction liquid under pressure inside said chamber, and (iii) a bottom wall (5) (iv) means (6, 7) adapted to open said chamber by relative engagement with the bottom wall (5) under the effect of the liquid pressure increase in the chamber during injection of said liquid characterized in that at least the portion of the top membrane surface which is to be pierced by the fluid injection means (4), comprises an elastic material having a tensile strength higher than 1 Mpa, preferably higher than 5 MPa, more preferably higher than 10 MPa and an elongation at break superior to 100%, preferably superior to 500%, such that said top membrane (3) recloses in a leaktight manner, after said fluid inje

Abstract: Provide an oven and optional cooking accessories having a high emissivity thermal protective layer on a substrate surface which comprises a metal or ceramic. The layer comprises from about 5% to 30% of an inorganic adhesive, from about 45% to 92% of at least one filler, and from about 1% to 25% of one or more emissivity agents; or from about 5% to 35% of colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, or combinations thereof, from about 23% to 79% of at least one filler, and from about 1% to 25% of one or more emissivity agents.

Abstract: A thermal processing and control system (10) includes a thermal processing station (12) for receiving food products (14) being carried on a conveyor system (16). A first scanning station (18) is located upstream from a similar processing station (12) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (16). A second scanning station (20) is located downstream of the thermal processing station (12). A diverter conveyor (24) diverts selected food products (14) from the conveyor (16) to a transverse conveyor (26) which is capable of positioning the diverted food product onto a temperature measurement station (28), whereat the temperature of the food product is measured, either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A device is introduced for preparation of milk and other beverages in bar or restaurant environments. The device has the unique ability to generate a micro-foam which imparts a sweet taste to the beverage without use of sugar, that sweet taste being equivalent to adding a flat teaspoon of sugar to a traditional cup of cappuccino. The computerized device consists of sensors and a fine mesh that is pushed through the beverage by means of an actuator adapted for this purpose while imparting quantitative heat through the process.

Abstract: A thermal processing and control system (300) includes a thermal processing station (312) for receiving food products (14) being carried on a conveyor system (316). A first scanning station (318) is located upstream from the thermal processing station (312) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (316). An actuator (420) automatically connects temperature measuring devices (402) with selected food products (14). A diverter conveyor (324) diverts selected food products (14) from the conveyor (316) to a transverse conveyor (326) for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system (300) is configured. The temperature measuring devices (402) are automatically removed from the food products at station (329).

Abstract: A process for producing a frozen confectionery product is provided, the process comprising: preparing a mix containing a gelling agent and having a total solids content of from 20 to 45 wt %; filling the mix into a mold and allowing the gelling agent to form a gel in the mold; freezing the gelled mix to form a product having a first form; removing the shaped product from the mold; and deforming the product while it is in the frozen state so that it takes up a second form.

Abstract: A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material (12) through an extrusion aperture in a die (10). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body (16) whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus (11) for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die (10) defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism (240) in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (10). The flow control mechanism (240) may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical infrared-style broiler sized to be portable, safe, and occupy minimal space, while still providing an additional cooking surface area for use as an electric griddle. The electric griddle is heated from below by way of an electrical heating tube and the grilling surface is heating from above via an infrared heating plate.

Abstract: A capsule suited to contain inside it a powdered product e.g. powdered coffee) for the preparation of an infusion. The capsule comprises a container closed by a lid. The container is provided with at least a filter of the powdered product/hot water infusion. The capsule is characterized in that it comprises: a central feeding device for feeding a hot liquid according to a substantially vertical direction; said hot liquid being suited to obtain an infusion with said powdered product; and a deflecting device, which is arranged transverse to the hot liquid flow coming from said central feeding device; said deflecting device being supported by the bottom of said container by means of a support device.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.

Abstract: A cold plasma device for killing or reducing a microbiological pathogen, or denaturing a protein in food, in a food processing system using a cold plasma device. The cold plasma device directs a cold plasma at food or a food surface over an effective area for an effective amount of time. The cold plasma device can be a DBD electrode device, or an army of DBD electrode devices. A grounding rod assembly is also described.

Abstract: Grapes while attached to the stems where they formed are cooled with the removal of excess moisture and are enclosed within an enclosure containing a gaseous atmosphere (e.g., air) bounded by a semi-permeable film having an oxygen transmission rate of approximately 100 to 400 cm3-mil/m2/24 hr., and preferably approximately 260 to 325 cm3-mil/m2/24 hr. The enclosure is sealed and the concentration of carbon dioxide present therein is adjusted to an initial concentration of approximately 3 to 19 percent by volume (preferably 13 to 18 percent by volume). The initial concentration of carbon dioxide within the specified semi-permeable enclosure has been found to well prolong the storage life of the grapes stored therein at a temperature of approximately 31 to 35° F. with the advantageous promotion of continued grape respiration at a low level during storage. The grape quality for the intended end use (e.g., human consumption as a table grape) is effectively extended.