Abstract: An ultra-high temperature pasteurized liquid (UHT) milk concentrate provides a reconstituted milk beverage that tastes like fresh milk. A direct steam injection process is used to form the UHT milk concentrate having at least about 30% by weight, preferably 35% to 45% by weight, nonfat milk solids having a shelf stability of at least 30 days. The UHT milk concentrate is homogenized and aseptically packaged for subsequent mixing in conventional beverage dispensers with water at volume ratios of about 3:1 to 4:1 of water to concentrate to make a beverage that tastes like fresh milk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed cartridge, provided to be extracted under pressure, containing a substance (15) for preparing a beverage, comprising a dish (9) with a bottom (10) and a side wall (11), having substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone, and a circular edge with a diameter greater than the bottom, and a cover (12) welded to the periphery of the edge of the dish, in which the cover (12) consists of a flexible material which is impermeable to oxygen, chosen from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum/plastic composite, an aluminum/plastic/paper composite, pure or multi-layer plastic, the said cartridge not comprising a filter or a weakening zone and the cover being intended to be torn only through the effect of the force of the extraction fluid when extraction starts, the said cartridge comprising, in the dish at the level of the bottom, a barrier (13) that is automatically resealable against leakage of the substance upon withdrawal of the fluid injection needle.

Abstract: A packaged food article of improved appearance and stackability comprises an unpressurized, imperforate container having an opening, wherein the container is fabricated from a material having a low gas permeability. A quantity of gas releasing food stuff, such as an active cultured dairy product, is disposed within and partially fills the container, while defining a headspace volume which is not filled with the food stuff A peelable flexible seal membrane overlays and seals the opening. An initial headspace gas is enriched with the gas released from the food stuff, with the initial headspace gas being adapted to permeate the packaging material at a rate greater than both the rate in which gas is released from the food stuff within the container and the rate in which air permeates into the container, thereby avoiding outward bowing of the flexible seal during the shelf life of the packaged food article.

Abstract: A device for dispensing sandwiches including a tubular body having an oval cross-section and a disk member positioned interior of the tubular body. The tubular body has a slot extending longitudinally along and through a wall of the tubular body. The disk member has an arm extending outwardly therefrom. This arm extends outwardly of the tubular body through the slot. The wall of the tubular body is of a flexible material. The tubular body has a closed end and an open end. The disk member is a solid planar member extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A guide rod is positioned within the tubular body and slidably receives the disk member thereon. The guide rod has a plurality of fixing elements suitable for retaining the disk member at a desired position within the tubular body.

Abstract: The preservation of meat products is accomplished utilizing a combination of smoke, ozone and freezing preservation techniques. Particularly, fish products are sized into portions that are first treated with smoke, followed by treatment with ozone and then optionally frozen. The preservation system extends the shelf life of the fish products and permits the fish to maintain its freshness and freedom from bacterial decomposition for a longer period of time following catch. The preservation process further maintains the characteristics of day caught fish, such as taste, texture and color, making the refreshed fish products produced by the present system more appealing to consumers.

Abstract: A disposable, aseptic package for storage and serving of perishable beverages, such as human breast milk. The package is generally cylindrical in shape, the top of which is provided with a circular flange about the circumference of the package, such that the filled package can be dropped down into a cylindrical outer holder. The package is held with its top surface near the top of a holder by the flange. A dispensing assembly, such as a nipple assembly or straw assembly, is mounted atop the holder. As the dispensing assembly is mounted on the holder, a penetrating conduit engages the top surface of the package and punctures it, thereby providing a via for the beverage to flow freely from the package to the dispensing assembly, such as through a nipple or through a straw.

Abstract: Packaged food articles of improved appearance and stackability are described such as a refrigerated active cultured dairy product. Each packaged food article comprises an unpressurized, imperforate container having an opening, wherein the container is fabricated from a material having a low gas permeability. A quantity of gas releasing food stuff, such as a live cultured dairy product, is disposed within and partially fills the container defining a headspace volume which is not filled with the food stuff. A peelable flexible seal membrane overlays and seals the opening. An initial headspace gas is enriched with the gas released from the food stuff, with the initial headspace gas being adapted to permeate the packaging material at a rate greater than both the rate in which gas is released from the food stuff within the container and the rate in which air permeates into the container, thereby avoiding outward bowing of the flexible seal during the shelf life of the packaged food article.

Abstract: A method of preparation and delivery of pocket bread in which the pocket bread is cut immediately after baking, the walls of the pocket bread are separated along the cut line, and individual pieces of pocket bread are nested one inside another to create a stack. Each piece of pocket bread is therefore pre-opened, and the stack is packaged for delivery to consumers.

Abstract: An infusion bag for preparing tea including a suspension unit having a grasping area and at least two chambers for containing an amount of a substance, the chambers each having a top side and being connected to one another at respective top sides to form a common edge. The chambers are connected to the suspension unit at the common edge and are turned away from the grasping area. The suspension unit is preferably longer than the chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an combination (1) containing a dough to be kept under refrigeration and including a packaging system (2, 7) provided with a one-way valve (8), a dough (4) based on living yeast inside said packaging and a substantially oxygen free atmosphere surrounding the dough.

Abstract: The present invention is a convenient, aesthetically pleasing, multi-purpose container/beverage infuser that allows a user to store and brew beverages such as tea. The device includes a base container for storing the loose tea leaves prior to brewing. A lid is provided to seal the container so that the tea leaves may be preserved during storage. An infuser is removably attached to the base container. The infuser is shaped so that that it may be inverted over a drinking container and receive a predetermined amount of fresh tea leaves to be steeped. Clips are coupled to the infuser so that the infuser may be retained in the inverted position over the drinking container during the brewing process. A cap is placed on top of the infuser when assembled and may be invertedly placed on a stable surface to hold the infuser after use to prevent excess dripping.

Abstract: Canned pet food products as well as methods of manufacturing or producing same are provided. The pet food comprises a base layer including solid food pieces in a gravy that has a conical recess formed in its upper surface. An upper layer comprising substantially solid foodstuff that can support the base layer when the food product is inverted fills the conical recess.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a beverage preparation and dispensing container each include a quantity of potable water (spring water, distilled water, etc.) sealed therein, with a separate concentrated drink mix packet removably secured to the container's outer surface. Each container is relatively short and squat, to provide a good ratio between internal volume and outer surface to more efficiently retain the heat of a heated beverage therein. The container walls are also relatively thick, for the same reason. Each container has a relatively wide mouth, allowing the consumer to slowly sip a beverage from the container and present a large surface area to cooling air, rather than ingesting a large amount at one time and possibly burning the mouth, as would occur with a narrow necked bottle. The drink mix (tea, coffee, powdered or syrup flavoring, etc.) is secured to the container side or top in one of several ways, for convenient access.

Abstract: This invention is a method for manufacturing candy using a first and second mold, which comprises the steps of filling a measured amount of the first mixture comprising raw materials for candy and additives into the first mold, partially cooling said mixture, printing a desired picture onto the partially cooled mixture by using one or more compositions selected among red, blue, and yellow edible ink compositions, filling a measured amount of the second mixture comprising raw materials for candy and additives into the second mold, partially cooling the first arid second mixture, joining the first mold and the second mold to combine the first mixture and the second mixture by pressing the joint pin, and hardening the mixture of the mold to form the candy product from the mold.

Abstract: A candy product comprises a plastic housing which defines upper and lower chambers. A candy holder retains a piece of hard candy and can be placed in the lower chamber of the housing to close the chamber. A compressible bottle is retained within the upper chamber and is accessible to a user through openings in the side walls. The bottle includes a nipple which extends through the top of the housing. In use, the candy is removed from the lower chamber, the housing is inverted, and pressure is applied to the bottle to expel the flavored liquid onto the candy.

Abstract: An edible film and method of using same for decorating foodstuffs, in particular baked goods, wherein anyone can easily, inexpensively and artistically decorate foodstuffs. The edible film according to the present invention is composed of an edible polymer film which is preferably releasably mounted upon a flexible substrate to provide a reinforced edible film. The edible film is peelably released from the substrate to provide decorations for the foodstuff. The edible film may be decoratively prepared into predetermined decorations prior to distribution, which may include being pre-printed, pre-cut, colored, or being of pre-selected opacity and sheen. Pre-printing may be accomplished by any suitable printing process utilizing edible inks. Alternatively, the edible film may be distributed in a not yet finalized decoration form, wherein finalization is left up to the user.

Abstract: A package is provided for shipping first and second food product components, and for dispensing the second food product component over the first food product component during heating. Food package includes a bowl having fluted portions cooperating with fluted portions of a cap. The cap includes a plurality of protrusions pointed toward the bowl which guide the second food product component for uniform dispersion.

Abstract: A process for preserving foodstuff by acidifying it with a phosphoric acid water solution. The foodstuff is immersed in the phosphoric acid solution with appropriate time pressure and temperature conditions to result in a state of equilibrium in which a pH of 4.6 or less is achieved. Any unwanted tart aftertaste is masked with a sweetening agent added to the acid solution. The process is used to produce a chili mix including rehydrated beans, vegetables, and spices, all of which are packaged in a shelf stable pouch particularly suited for the restaurant trade.

Abstract: The present invention is a convenient, aesthetically pleasing, multi-purpose container/beverage infuser that allows a user to store and brew beverages such as tea. The device includes a base container for storing the loose tea leaves prior to brewing. A lid is provided to seal the container so that the tea leaves may be preserved during storage. An infuser is removably attached to the base container. The infuser is shaped so that that it may be inverted over a drinking container and receive a predetermined amount of fresh tea leaves to be steeped. Clips are coupled to the infuser so that the infuser may be retained in the inverted position over the drinking container during the brewing process. A cap is placed on top of the infuser when assembled and may be invertedly placed on a stable surface to hold the infuser after use to prevent excess dripping.

Abstract: A portable container for storing an edible liquid separate from an edible dry component is disclosed. The container permits a user to easily mix the edible liquid with the dry component in a readily transportable container without spilling the contents. A portable container includes an outer vessel having a least one internal projection and an inner vessel received within the outer vessel. The inner vessel is rotatable within the outer vessel and includes a removable top and at least one opening covered by a frangible membrane. A sealing member seals the outer vessel to the inner vessel. When the inner vessel is rotated within the outer vessel the at least one internal projections ruptures the frangible membrane and provides communication between the inner vessel and the outer vessel. An edible liquid is stored within an inner space defined between the inner vessel and the outer vessel and a dry component is stored within the inner vessel.