Abstract: Here is described a carton comprising: a rectangular contents-retaining base having a length greater than its width; a front panel carried by the base, the front panel having a right edge, a left edge, a bottom edge, and a top edge; and having means for closing the carton. This means comprises: a top flap hinged at the top edge of the front panel and a tab carried by the top flap. The carton also has a back panel carried by the base, the back panel having: a right edge, a left edge, a bottom edge, and a top edge, and a tab receiving slot. The carton further has a triangular right side panel carried by the base and joining the right edge of the front panel with the right edge of the back panel; a triangular left side panel carried by the base and joining the right edge of the front panel with the right edge of the back panel; wherein the top flap is hinged at a substantial angle “a” to the base.

Abstract: Sealed packages of foodstuffs which are biological materials, particularly fruit, are vented by a temperature-sensitive control unit. The control unit covers an aperture in a wall of the package. The control unit includes a barrier member which is secured over the aperture by a layer of temperature sensitive adhesive, and a force member which lifts the barrier member away from the aperture when an increase in temperature weakens the adhesive. The force member is preferably elastically deformed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steamable pouch meal for preparation, e.g., in a microwave oven. The pouch meal comprises i) a plurality of frozen food pieces comprising at least two different types of food and, optionally, a quantity of frozen sauce or liquid seasoning, and ii) a pouch containing the frozen food pieces, the pouch at least partially comprised of a mesh material, the mesh material adapted to permit a first portion of steam produced upon heating the pouch and its contents to escape from the pouch while maintaining a second portion of steam within the pouch to create a steam environment therein for heating the food pieces. The mesh material additionally serves to retain sauce or liquid seasoning and juice from the food pieces within the pouch.

Abstract: A cheesecake batter is baked in individual cups as it is continuously moved from one end of an oven to the other. Thereafter, it is cooled by being transferred to a cooling table covered with a hood. The cooling table and the hood are arranged in line with the other end of the oven, and the hood contains a downward laminar sterile air flow to envelop the baked cheesecake batter on the cooling table. In addition, the cooling table and the hood are spaced from the other end of the oven a distance in which the flow of heated vapor from the oven react and create a vacuum, thereby maintaining the baked cheesecake batter under constant sterile conditions, as it moves from the oven to the cooling table.

Abstract: A method of packaging and preparing a mixed drink and the mixed drink mixer package therefor, wherein pre-measured mixer ingredients are packaged in a container that is marketed and sold with extra head-space for the subsequent addition and shaking of ingredients according to the consumer's taste, and preferably with a strainer for straining the mixed drink prior to serving. The consumer may prepare the drink by adding an alcoholic beverage and, if desired, ice through the wide opening of the container. Blending of the ingredients may be accomplished by shaking the container, which is provided with a removable, leak-proof cap. The ingredients may be strained through the detachable strainer when they are poured from the container, or the container itself may be used as a drinking vessel, thus minimizing the time, effort, and inconvenience of amassing a variety of containers and implements that are associated with prior art methods of packaging the ingredients for mixed drinks and preparing mixed drinks.

Abstract: A system for allotting soup to customers without possibility of scorching of the soup and to offer the soup with ingredients immediately by simply serving the soup each time. The system eliminates the possibility of causing variations in the quantity of ingredients or prevents impairment of the initial shape of the ingredients. The system comprises means for separating space in a container into a soup accommodating chamber and an ingredient accommodating chamber, which may be mixed with soup, to accommodate soup with ingredients. The system also includes means for accommodating a predetermined quantity of ingredients arranged at openings on the lower ends of the soup accommodating chamber and the ingredient accommodating chamber, and the opening on the lower end of the ingredient accommodating chamber is closed by separating means, which allows only the soup to pass.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aqueous sodium methioninate solutions having a low sodium carbonate content from the crude hydrolysis mixtures obtained in the hydrolysis of 5-(.beta.-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin with from 1.1 to 6 equivalents of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate, by separating off sodium carbonate monohydrate while heating, and granulates subsequently prepared from those solutions by various processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new .alpha.-hydroxyketone compositions. In particular, there is provided 3-hydroxy-5-methyl-hexan-2-one, 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-hexan-3-one and mixtures thereof. These compounds have utility as flavoring and masking agents for, e.g., food and beverages. Processes for making such compounds also are provided.

Abstract: A space-saving multiple tier vertical flow toaster for simultaneously toasting items loaded vertically from the top of the toaster. The first items loaded into the toaster pass through an upper tier and are arrested in a lower tier. The next items loaded are arrested in the upper tier and both the upper tier and lower tier items are toasted sequentially. A control system discharges the lower tier items first and then discharges the upper tier items enabling them to pass through the lower tier and be discharged.