Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressure processing method and processing apparatus for sterilization, denaturation, etc. of food materials. A free piston is fitted in a pressure container so that the free piston is slidable in an axial direction of the container, the pressure container being partitioned by the free piston into two chambers to prevent mixing and contact between a material to be processed and pressure medium. The material to be processed filled in and supplied to one chamber is pressure-processed by the sliding movement of the piston caused by supplying the pressure medium to the other chamber. Three or more pressure containers, in each of which is fitted a free piston, are provided, and a series of processing operations including pressurizing and holding, discharge and supply of the material to be processed are carried out in a batch continuous manner in the same time zone.

Abstract: A method for preserving and displaying fresh mushrooms is provided which minimizes air flow, moisture penetration and mushroom shrink. The container method includes disposing fresh mushrooms in a container which has a plurality of ventilation openings and a cover. The container is transparent to provide an upscale and attractive display and to allow a consumer to see the container's contents.

Abstract: An energy efficient method of sterilizing canned food in a sterilizing kettle comprises the use of 95.degree. C. hot water, which is kept in a first reservoir, to expel the air in a sterilizing kettle containing the canned food to be sterilized and to preheat the kettle and the canned food. The 95.degree. C. hot water is cooled to become 85.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained out of the kettle to be kept in a second reservoir. Thereafter, steam is injected into the kettle to sterilize the canned food. The 85.degree. C. hot water kept in the second reservoir is then introduced into the kettle in which the 85.degree. C. hot water is converted by a heat exchange to the 95.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained and kept in the first reservoir for use again in the next sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A system for feeding infants with an artificial formula includes the supply of a formula (20) into a bag (10) under sterile conditions. The bag (10) is not completely filled with formula (20), the formula (20) occupying one portion (12) with another portion (14) being collapsed as a result of withdrawal of air therefrom. The bag (10) is sealed. In use, the collapsed portion (14) of a bag (10) is inserted into a nursing bottle (16) and the formula (20) caused to flow into the collapsed portion (14) located within the bottle (16). The former filled portion (12) is removed to provide an opening to the formula (20) in the bag (10), and the free end is located between a cap (26) holding a teat (28) and the neck (18) of the bottle (16). The formula (20) may have an increased initial vitamin content to allow for loss of vitamins during storage.

Abstract: The invention is a self contained disposable coffee brewing cone comprising a pouch having an inside, a top, a bottom, an open circular top, and a permeable circular bottom. A pre-measured volume of coffee is located inside the pouch at the bottom, and is sandwiched between a permeable filter net and the permeable circular bottom. A flange is located at the top of the pouch, extending radially outward from the pouch, parallel to the horizon. The flange has a flange tab and perforations along its center, so that an outer flange ring may be peeled back and separated from an inner flange ring and the remainder of the pouch, to be utilized as a handle.

Abstract: A dispensing display container of coffee or other spoonable particulate foodstuff comprises an upper, externally threaded cylinder and an internally threaded sleeve that the user discards when empty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for serving confectioneries comprises a first base support member having a second support member positioned thereon. The second support member is smaller in plan than the base support member thereby defining a peripheral ledge or tier. Cupcakes or other similar confectioneries may be placed on the ledge and on top of the second support member and an illusion of a traditional multi-tiered birthday cake is created. Yet, each cupcake or confectionery is available to be readily removed by children of the earliest ages and consumed without the need for plates or utensils.

Abstract: A package for heated carry-out food such as pizza pie, includes a box structure made up of side walls, a bottom panel and a closure lid. The side walls and the bottom panel define an interior compartment which is suitable for holding the heated food. A steam permeable support member, such as a sheet of balsa wood, is positioned within the interior compartment for supporting the heated food. The wooden support member allows for the passage of steam away from the heated food. The support member is elevated above the bottom surface of the box so that any condensing water from within the wooden support member is encouraged to collect below the support member and away from the heated food. Means for elevating the support member is included.

Abstract: A method for ensuring the long term preservation of food compositions of the paste type containing essentially cereal flour, eggs, sugar, milk or a milk substitute such as a soya bean alimentary filtrate and flavoring products, according to which the paste constituents are distributed into two phases, a powder phase and a sterilized liquid phase, wherein the powder phase includes the whites of egg in addition to the flour and sugar, and the liquid phase includes the yolks in addition to the other constituents, each of these phases being introduced in a distinct packing, conveniently prepared, notably aseptized, with a view to a long preservation of the phase it contains.

Abstract: A process for the production of canned coffee, having the steps of:(1) preparing a cold extract of coffee by rapidly cooling a coffee extract at a temperature no higher than about 20.degree. C.;(2) adding at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of erythorbic acid, ascorbic acid and water-soluble salts thereof to said cold extract, optionally followed by diluting the resulting mixture;(3) filling the cold extract containing the at least one antioxidant in a can without heating; and(4) replacing air contained in the can with a mixed gas comprising at least two members selected from the group consisting of steam, carbon dioxide gas, and nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A method of processing fresh avocados into pulp or guacamole wherein the mixed pulp is drawn into a chamber where the pulp is exposed to a high vacuum and thereafter the vacuum is slowly released. The product is subsequently packaged and a second, at least partial, vacuum is applied to the pulp within the packaging before the packaging is sealed.

Abstract: A collapsible, thin wall, plastic container includes a closed end, an annular peripheral side wall and an open end, the peripheral side wall including a plurality of annular steps or shoulders for enabling controlled axial collapse of the container to a compact, collapsed condition wherein a plurality of substantially concentric folds surround a remaining uncollapsed portion of the container; and a removable cap securable to the open end, the cap having a sealed chamber formed therein for holding a predetermined amount of foodstuff material.

Abstract: A tray (10) for receiving a plurality of fish fillets (28) in a layer for compaction and freezing in a stack of layers. The tray is formed from a sheet (18) of material having a first portion (12) joined to a second portion (14) by a flexible hinge portion (16). The first portion is formed to define a plurality of first recesses (24) and the second portion is formed to define a plurality of negative second recesses (26). A fillet is received within each of the first recesses to form a layer, the tray is folded, and an additional layer of fillets is received within the second recesses. The tray is constructed and configured to be deformed and to enable the fillets to deform within the recesses, under the force of compaction, to form separable layers of substantially separate frozen fillets.

Abstract: A parting composition for facilitating the release of foodstuffs from cooking utensils contains an edible oil, lecithin and water and, optionally, a humectant such as glycerol. The water is present in an amount sufficient to partially, but not fully, hydrate the lecithin so as to render the parially hydrated lecithin insoluble in the edible oil. The composition, which may further include a suitable normally gaseous propellant to discharge the composition from a conventional aerosol spray can, provides a substantially clear and smooth spray coating on cooking utensils at ambient temperatures, without the need for ethyl alcohol in the composition. The composition may optionally include conventional modifying agents such as suspending agents, antioxidants, preservatives, flavorants, etc.

Abstract: The combination candy sucker and edible powder is a novelty candy holding device designed for the combination of a hard sucker type candy with a powder or granular candy in a self contained housing. The holding device has two parts. The top cap has a hard sucker type candy and the plastic housing contains the powder or granular candy. After removing the top cap, the hard candy is moistened and then dipped into the powder or granular candy. The sucker is then covered with the powder or granular candy giving a different and unique taste for children to enjoy.

Abstract: A dual compartment infusion packet has the compartments directly secured to each other at one end of the packet and separated by a V-fold of the packet material at the other end. A suspension thread has an intermediate portion lying within the fold and end portions extending therefrom through attachment means at the other end of the packet. The end portions are displaceable in the attachment means so that when tensioned they contract the packet to squeeze out liquid held in the packet after an infusion process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a packaged dough suitable for extended refrigerated storage and to a packaging system for storage of the refrigerated dough. In the packaging system for storage of refrigerated, leavened dough, a substantially rigid tray for receiving a leavened dough product is provided. The tray has a bottom wall and upstanding peripheral side walls to define at least one well. At least one leavened dough product is disposed within the well. The leavening of the dough is at least partially reacted to provide carbon dioxide distributed throughout the dough product. A hermetically sealed cover, extending at least over the top of the side walls to define a chamber containing the dough product and a headspace surrounding the dough product is provided. A gas comprising a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide is disposed in the headspace of the chamber in order to create an equilibrium level of carbon dioxide with the carbon dioxide produced in the dough product.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing solid honey wherein pure honey is subjected to dehydration in a vacuum evaporator with gradual temperature rise in a temperature range from ordinary temperature to 40.degree.-90.degree. C. within about one hour. The resultant concentrated pure honey is transported by pressure to a pouring part for supplying to a determined forming mold. In the meantime, heat-resistant plastic package containers which constitute determined forming molds are successively transported to the position of the pouring part, and the concentrated pure honey is charged to inside of the forming molds of the containers after a determined amount of edible fats and oils is previously applied. Spontaneous cooling then occurs followed by sealing up with a cover of an aluminium foil or a non-hygroscopic sheet at the side of opening part of the container. There is also disclosed a solid honey obtained by the process.

Abstract: A container system which is environmentally controlled for the packaging and shipment of vegetables, and particularly of lettuce, such as iceberg lettuce. The packaging relies upon a reusable paperboard container which is of a polygonal shape, such as an octagonal shape, providing a large number of corner margins which afford strength in stacking of like containers on pallets. A plastic liner is disposed within the paperboard container and receives the vegetables such as the heads of lettuce. This liner is evacuated through a small incision made in the liner and the liner is sealed, or the former air atmosphere is replaced with a modified atmosphere, such as a high carbon monoxide concentration or nitrogen atmosphere, and thereafter, the opening is sealed. The modified atmosphere precludes the oxidation and deterioration of the lettuce or other vegetable product. In a more preferred embodiment, a pair of plastic liners, comprising inner and outer liners, are employed.

Abstract: An easy open tabbed package made of a flexible laminate material comprises a product enclosure having side walls, a bottom portion and an overlapping top portion. The overlapping top portion includes opposing flaps having a sealable region wherein a hand-peelable heat seal can be applied and a raised grippable tab means integral with the sealable region of each flap. The package is designed to enclose a product such as roast and ground coffee which can be vacuum-packed and peelably sealed inside the flexible laminate enclosure. The tab means, which preferably comprises a wave-shaped raised tab, is constructed integrally with the peel-seal region and greatly facilitates opening of the package by pulling outwardly from the center.