Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: A party tray includes a support tray and, on the support tray, a sealed package made up of transparent container body and a polymeric sealing sheet sealed to the rim of the container body. The sealed package contains foodstuffs, in particular respiring foodstuffs such as fresh fruits and vegetables, which rest on the sealing sheet; the sealing sheet is in turn supported by the support tray. The sealed package may include an atmosphere control member. When the party tray is on display, its contents are viewed through the single thickness of the container body.

Abstract: An improved, continuous process for the production of animal feed supplements including an apparatus for carrying out such process is provided. Broadly, the process includes continuous preparation of a preblend including molasses and vegetable fat, followed by continuous cooking of the preblend in an elongated cooking zone and batch cooking assembly. The cooked preblend is then continuously treated for removal of moisture and partial cooling thereof, whereupon dry ingredients (e.g., vitamins and protein sources) are added and the resultant feed supplement is continuously cooled and packaged.

Abstract: A food package is provided that includes a compartment in which food items are carried and a holder portion which allows a user to place the food item therein with the food item held in a stationary position. The food holder can serve as a staging area for combining the food item with other food items or can be used as a placement location for a partially eaten food item. In the preferred multicompartment package, an improved back card construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stage thickening composition for use in facilitating the handling and continuous packaging of a food product, and for providing a desired final shape and texture for the food product. Relatively rapid-setting and slower-setting consumable gels form one preferred thickening composition. The rapid-setting gel allows the food product to be shaped and packaged, while the slower-setting gel allows the food product to be provided with desired texture characteristics that appeal to the consumer.

Abstract: It comprises an inner wrapper which contains the food product, an outer package of plastic material which encloses said inner wrapper, a layer of a heat-concentrating material, arranged adjacent the inner wrapper, and a substrate attached to an outer face of said outer package. The layer of heat-concentrating material causes the opening of the outer package by melting a portion thereof, during heating of the assembly in a microwave oven, and the substrate prevents the outer package from sticking to the base of the oven. There can also be a sheet of insulating material between the inner wrapper and the outer package. Handling operations are reduced and the protection and optimum degree of humidity are maintained until the time the product is put in the oven.

Abstract: A device and method for adding the perception of flavoring to a product that is consumed from a receptacle. The device is a cover for a receptacle, wherein a person can drink from a receptacle through the structure of the cover. At least a portion of the receptacle cover is scented with a desired fragrance. Furthermore, the scented portion of the receptacle cover enters the mouth when a person is drinking through the receptacle cover. As the scented portion of the receptacle cover is taken within the mouth, the receptacle cover scents the air contained within the mouth. By scenting the air inside the mouth, the nose is saturated by the desired fragrance and a more effective olfactory sense deception is obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing packed tofu that is easily released from the container, in which an aqueous ethanol solution or an aqueous solution of a magnesium salt and/or a calcium salt is previously applied to the inside of the container to be filled with soybean milk, or impact is given to a sealed container having tofu packed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus has a brine tank that is subdivided into cooling cells each having a vertical carousel for submerging blocks of cheese. The cheese blocks are carried through an inlet flume by a flow of brine and then sequentially diverted into the cooling cells where the cheese blocks are loaded into the respective vertical carousel. After the cheese has cooled sufficiently, the brine flow carries the blocks of cheese out of the respective cooling cell. Movement of the cheese blocks and the carousels is controlled automatically, without human intervention. A unique fluid circulation system transfers chilled brine through the tank from a cooling cell containing the coldest cheese to cooling cells with successively warmer cheese blocks.

Abstract: A portable, single-use container for separately containing a first and second consumable products. The container includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment tapers at an upper portion thereof to form a spout. The spout facilitates dispensing of a contained first consumable product from the first compartment. The second compartment, in turn, tapers at an upper portion thereof to form a mouth. The mouth facilitates dispensing of a second consumable product from the second compartment. The first and second compartments are assembled to one another in a side-by-side fashion such that the spout abuts the mouth. With this configuration, during use, a first consumable product and a second consumable product can be dispensed from the container in close proximity to one another for convenient consumption. In one preferred embodiment, the first compartment contains a volume of milk and the second compartment contains a quantity of cereal.

Abstract: The invention provides a food packaging system that preferably includes a system for facilitating progressive or incremental delivery of individual, single-serving hand-held food items to the consumer, along with a carton for containing a plurality of the food items and associated delivery systems. The packaging system provides protection for the food items during packaging, shipping handling, retail display and consumer use, and also makes them readily accessible to the consumer, without requiring direct manual contact with the food item. The packaging system preferably includes a separate disposable delivery system for each food item.

Abstract: An article that indirectly browns and/or flavors foodstuffs, a method of indirectly browning and/or flavoring foodstuffs, and a browned and/or flavored foodstuff provided by the article are disclosed. More specifically, the articles and processes to brown and/or flavor foodstuffs utilize a heated susceptor, such as a plastic film, metal foil, cardboard, or paper, treated with a browning and/or flavoring composition, such as a composition containing hydroxyacetaldehyde.

Abstract: A confectionery comprising a container, a handle portion above the container, a body attached to the handle portion and disposed within the container, and preferably a flowable confectionery disposed within the container.

Abstract: The apparatus is a chip fry lid having an array of long and short posts for contacting and agitating the chips during the deep frying process. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the posts is formed by proximate sets of wire bent to form a series of long and short generally U-shaped prongs. A hinge at the front of the lid and a handle at the opposite end facilitate manual oscillation of the lid during the deep frying process to achieve a high percentage of chips of uniform high quality, both in terms of uniform cooking and chips having sufficient curls to form a chip functionally useful for holding dipped food and also aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cream, in which a mixture containing about 10% to 20% of milk derivatives, about 8% to 30% of sugars, about 10% to 60% of fermented dairy product, about 0% to 25% of sour cream or of dairy cream containing about 25% to 45% of fatty substance, about 0% to 35% of texturizing agent, about 0% to 20% of aromatic product, and about 0% to 0.5% of salt is prepared by stirring, heat treating at a temperature of about 60° C. to 115° C. for about 7 seconds to 5 minutes; the temperature of the mixture is then adjusted to about 15° C. to 40° C. and to which molten fatty substance is added with stirring, so as to obtain a homogeneous cream. The cream thus obtained can be used in the manufacture of a food composition by depositing it on at least one layer, preferably between two layers, of food product, e.g., a biscuit.

Abstract: High end or premium bread, including presliced loaves, are inserted into a preformed inner bag by an automatic bagging machine. The open end of the inner bag is gathered and sealed, and thereafter the inner bag is heat shrunk to closely enclose a loaf. Then the heat shrunk inner bag and enclosed loaf is bagged by a second automatic bagger, and the outer bag is then closed by an automatic bag closer. The inner bag preferably has a gusseted closed end which is adjacent to the openable end of the outer bag for presentation to a consumer. Such closed end of the inner bag can have bag weakening perforations or scores for convenient opening by the consumer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic container, which is particularly useful for packaging meat, comprises a first polymeric layer, a second intermediate or tie layer, and a third polymeric layer. The first layer comprises an alkylene terephthalate or naphthalate polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The first layer can include, in whole or in part, one or more homo-polymers, co-polymers, recycled polymers, or reprocessed polymers. The third layer comprises a non-polar thermoplastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or a blend thereof. The intermediate layer primarily functions as an adhesive and as a compatibilizer/emulsifier/surfactant (CES), and comprises a grafted or backbone-based co-polymer or ter-polymer of ethylene, glycidyl acrylate or maleic anhydride, and optionally an acrylate co-monomer.

Abstract: A system and method for packing agricultural produce including functionality for: providing a container having at least one communications aperture formed in a wall thereof; providing at least one flexible controlled permeability bag within the container; providing at least one bag aperture in the at least one flexible controlled permeability bag in general registration with the at least one communications aperture; sealing the produce inside the at least one flexible controlled permeability bag within the container, while leaving the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture open; providing atmosphere treatment within the at least one bag via the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture; and sealing at least one of the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture.

Abstract: A particulate capture system having a plurality of high speed rotating paddles for separating particulate from an air stream. The system includes an air circulating chamber within a centrifuge that separates a first portion of particulate trapped within an air stream. The particulate capture system also has a blender section that separates a second portion of particulate trapped within the air stream. The first portion of particulate is separated via circulating air flow. The second portion of particulate is separated via encapsulating the particulate in water. The water encapsulated particles may be recirculated to a cooler or other device where the particulate may be blended with a bulk product being processed.

Abstract: A method for the microwave irradiation of a vegetable to cook the same and to brown the exterior thereof includes the steps of applying a microwave activated browning agent to the surface of the vegetable; prior to irradiation, positioning a shielding material adjacent to the vegetable in a location such that, during irradiation, adjacent portions of the vegetable are shielded from microwave radiation; and irradiating the vegetable with microwave radiation to cook and brown the same.