Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a bean curd containing pine leaves including the steps of: admixing beans kept soaked in water with pine leaves at the ratio of 15 to 20:1; smashing the mixture into powder of 50 to 80 mesh; boiling the powder of the mixture in the temperature range of 95 to 100; separating it into soft bean-curd juice and lees; and providing coagulation of the soft bean-curd juice, so that the bean curd gives out a unique fragrance of the pine leaves and the man who eats the bean curd can intake all kinds of nutrients such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins contained in the pine leaves.

Abstract: A packaged meal is provided in the form of a kit arrangement which is formulated and prepared for storage under refrigerated, non-frozen conditions for extended time periods within retail store showcase coolers. The kit includes a compartmentalized, hermetically sealed package, with a refrigerated baked flour-containing component or dough component within an overpouch which is sealed or unsealed and positioned within one of the compartments and being specially formulated to maintain its freshness and retarding staling during extended refrigerated storage within the hermetically sealed package. At least the compartment within which baked component is sealed has an anti-fogging agent component which further assists in maintaining freshness and retarding staling under even refrigerated, non-frozen conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation and for the precooking of whole or crushed softened seeds which are used as an ingredient in food compositions, in particular in bakery products. The process involves mixing the seeds to be steeped with water; acidifying the mixture of seeds and of water to a pH of less than about 4.5; cooking the thus acidified mixture of seeds and of water; and packaging the moist product. The present invention also relates to the packaging, preferably vacuum packaging, containing the products thus treated.

Abstract: An indirect heat barbecue oven and smoker which utilizes an elongate chamber for receiving combustibles so that smoke may be produced therein and wherein there is provided a rotating wheel with support arms, wherein each pair of support arms support an open mesh tray upon which foods or the like may be positioned and wherein the bottom of the oven forms a slanted floor of the oven and acts to receive and direct grease and fluids so that the same may be drained to the outside of the oven without contamination of the burners.

Abstract: An improved disposable container having a removable divider which separates the interior volume of the container into an edible liquid section and an edible dry section with means for guiding the removal of the divider without crushing the dry edible substance positioned above the divider.

Abstract: A refrigerated dough system is provided which includes a dough in a container flushed with a gas. The dough contains a leavening agent capable of generating gas in the dough after the dough is sealed in the container. The container is provided with a pressure release mechanism to release excess pressure generated within the container as the dough leavens and during storage. The dough system is capable of sustaining a leavened dough structure during storage so that upon baking the dough, the resulting baked product resembles a freshly prepared and baked dough.

Abstract: Pet chews (140, 141) are made from pieces of cleaned cattle hooves (10) by reducing the hoof pieces to a range of particulate sizes, such as by tumbling the pieces of hooves within a rotary chipping drum (62). The particulate hoof material (30) is separated by size at a shaker table assembly (104). Several sizes (A-E) of particulate hoof material are combined in chosen proportions with a collagen protein binder (144) and formed into the pet chews, typically by compression or by extrusion, having appropriate strength, hardness and toughness.

Abstract: A device for puffing foodstuff comprises an upright puffing reactor having a vessel for receiving foodstuff therein. The vessel has a wall provided with a plurality of openings. A chamber surrounds the vessel. The vessel has no openings in an upper section. A first pressurized heat-carrying agent is supplied to the chamber under a first pressure, and the agent flows from the chamber through the plurality of openings uniformly through the foodstuff disposed within the vessel. Shortly before the vessel is opened via an opening mechanism, a second agent having a higher pressure than the first pressure is supplied into the upper section above the foodstuff disposed within the vessel for providing a "propelling charge" behind the foodstuff.

Abstract: Pieces of meat are tumbled with a marinade in a tumbler that has a smoothly continuous surrounding side wall with no protrusions or baffles or other protrusions contacting the pieces of meat. The tumbler is rotated about the axis of the side wall and gas is pumped from the tumbler during the tumbling to maintain a reduced pressure. The gas may be pumped to maintain a lower reduced pressure for a first time interval and to permit a higher pressure, still below atmospheric pressure, for a second period of time during a rest period. These two pressure levels are alternated during the alternate tumbling and rest periods.

Abstract: A process gas delivery system incorporating a cleaning solution delivery subsystem for chemical vapor deposition. The system includes a slanted cleaning solution feed pipe for introducing a cleaning solution into the process gas delivery system and for disposal of waste cleaning solution from the process gas delivery system. Automatic determination of maintenance time may be accomplished by using an optical sensor provided on the process gas delivery pipe that detects the accumulation of the deposition material within the piping. The sensor may also be used to detect the cleaning solution residue inside the piping after cleaning and the liquid level during deposition.

Abstract: A fried snack product which is extruded and shaped into a design. The dough is formed by combining (1) starch-based flour having a specific ratio of gelatinized to ungelatinized starch and an amount of protein, (2) a pregelled modified starch (3) water, (4) shortening or oil, (5) leavening, and (6) an emulsifier. The emulsifier keeps the integrity of the starch structure or dough rheology through the extrusion process.

Abstract: The temperature sensitive differential of the solubilities of various isoflavone fractions is used to initially separate the fractions by heating an aqueous soy molasses or soy whey feed stream. The temperature of the feed stream is selected according to the temperature at which a desired isoflavone fraction or fractions become soluble. Then, the heated feed stream is passed through an ultrafiltration membrane having a cutoff which further selects desired isoflavone molecules by size. In some examples, the permeate is subjected to reverse osmosis in order to concentrate the solids. The resulting permeate is put through a resin adsorption process carried out in at least one liquid chromatography column to further separate the desired isoflavone fractions. A plurality of such columns may be used to provide a continuous process. Various processes are described for drying and crystallizing the isoflavone fractions.

Abstract: A coating of drystuff particles on the outside of an ice dome projecting from a cone is effected by pressing down the inversed cone against a spherical resilient membrane having a overlying layer of a particulate material. The invention proposes to coat the domes projecting further from the cone with the use of compressed air for pressing the membrane against the dome surface and by arranging for a vertical movement of the membrane relative to the overlying layer of the particle material.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes at least one rotating mesh screen container designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force. The addition of a second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.

Abstract: A method of producing chewing gum with a controlled flavor release comprises the steps of continuously adding chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixer, the chewing gum ingredients comprising one or more flavoring agents, the continuous mixer comprising a plurality of spatially separated feed inlets through which the chewing gum ingredients are added to the mixer, and the one or more flavoring agents being added to the mixer simultaneously at two or more feed inlets; subjecting the chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixing operation within the mixer, thereby forming a chewing gum composition; and continuously discharging the chewing gum composition from the mixer while chewing gum ingredients continue to be introduced and mixed within the mixer. The locations at which the flavor components are added controls the flavor characteristics of the chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A food roaster is been described which includes a base plate and a cover. The cover includes a basting receptacle which allows in situ basting during a roasting operation. The roaster uses gravity to direct a baste material from the basting receptacle through a hole, or via, and into an interior of the cover. The basting dripper feature is provided to direct the baste material onto food, such as garlic, located on the base plate. The present invention, therefore, allows a solid baste material such as butter, or a liquid baste material such as oil to be placed in the receptacle during a roasting operation for basting without removing the cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining a dehydrated plants, by blanching the chopped plant and subsequently drying the chopped plant until its moisture content is less than 3%. The product retains its natural color and has low microbial content.

Abstract: The product, formed essentially as a praline, comprises a shell which encloses a creamy filing with very low viscosity, possibly enhanced by a nut. The shell which is coated by one or more coating layers, possibly with the addition of a sprinkled substance and decorative element, is constituted by two half-shells, coupled face to face. One of the half-shells is made of a moldable fat-containing substance such as chocolate, whereas the other half-shell is made of wafer. The contribution of the half-shell made of a moldable substance to the weight of the shell is preferably greatly predominant in comparison with the corresponding contribution of the wafer half-shell.

Abstract: A process for making a shaped snack product having a light, crispy, crunchy texture. The process comprises the steps of extruding a dough mixture comprising a source of starch based flour, pregelled modified starch and emulsifier blend selected from the group consisting of diacetyl tartaric acid monoglyceride, mono- and diglyceride, polyglycerol esters and mixtures thereof, water, shortening or oil, and leavening, and then frying the snack piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid, shelf stable ready to use baker's wash for coating bakery products such as rolls, breads and pie crusts. The wash can be applied either before or after baking to provide a shine to the bakery product. The composition is packaged in an anaerobic environment, such as an aerosol spray. The product provides a convenient way of dispensing the product in use, while maintaining the antimicrobial stability of the product over its useful life. This result is achieved using a preservative composition which contains a mixture of methylparaben and propylparaben, wherein the ratio by weight of the materials is at least about 1.25:1. The composition comprises at least one non-egg white protein, such as a caseinate, at least one anti-precipitive agent, at least one viscosity control stabilizer, the preservative composition described above, and water.