Abstract: A CO.sub.2 gas generator for a utilization device is located in a housing and chemically generates CO.sub.2 from a chemical reaction between two reagents contained within a common container. The reagents are located in different chambers of the container with a CO.sub.2 accumulation region being included in one of the chambers. A reference pressure source of a predetermined pressure forces the two reagents into contact with each other when the pressure of gas in the CO.sub.2 accumulation region is less than the predetermined pressure whereupon CO.sub.2 is generated in one of the chambers. An output conduit in fluid communication with the CO.sub.2 accumulation region is provided to withdraw the generated gas from the generator. As the CO.sub.2 is withdrawn, the gas pressure drops permitting more mixing of the reagents. When the CO.sub.2 pressure becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure applied by the reference pressure source, the reagents become separated again and gas generation ceases.

Abstract: Dual state packaging may be implemented with a tray having a peripheral flange adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a self-supporting bowl made from edible material having a bottom, a top and a side providing in combination a container for holding animal food, the bowl being of selected size and configuration to contain a desired quantity of food depending on animal size and dietary requirements. There is further provided an animal feeding system and related method wherein an edible bowl is provided in combination with a water bowl to provide a self-contained meal package for an animal.

Abstract: A microwaveable food container is provided with an accessory which contains a heat assist to facilitate heating of the food. The accessory is secured to the container along two opposite edges of the accessory and is provided with perforations which allow the metallized heat assist to be easily removed. The remaining portion of the container may therefore be recycled.

Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatus for producing instantly cookable pasta including various kinds of pasta and Chinese and Japanese noodles, and an encased instantly cookable pasta produced by such method and apparatus. According to the invention, part of raw dough of a starting mixture, which contains wheat flour as a major component, is subjected to preliminary steam-cooking, and then mixed with the remaining uncooked part of the starting mixture. The resulting mixture is then processed through shaping, steam-cooking and drying stages to obtain instantly cookable pasta, enshrouding the instantly cookable pasta product in a water-permeable casing before shipment. Due to suppression of thermal degeneration of gluten, the instantly cookable pasta possesses favorable resiliency and is free of the smell inherent to raw wheat flour and cohesion of individual pasta cords.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product employing a tray having sidewalls defining a cavity and an outwardly directed flange extending around the perimeter of the tray, the flange being adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: The invention is a method for effectively transferring finely detailed images in edible pastes onto pastry shapes for decorative pastry dough that may be shaped into decorative pieces for various effects. The method comprises a first step of transferring the fine pattern images onto silk screen and then using silk screening methods to impart a paste onto specially developed, reusable, transfer sheets. Batter is then placed across the transfer sheets and then baked at approximately 350.degree.-450.degree. F. The images in edible paste are effectively transferred to the pastry without sticking to the sheet. The sheets are made of tetrafluorethylene coated fabric sheet and may be reused.

Abstract: An oxygen-absorbing composition containing particulate annealed electrolytically reduced iron of between about 100 mesh and 325 mesh in an amount of about up to 99.6% by weight, a salt such as sodium chloride in an amount by weight of about up to 3.5%, and optionally a water-attracting and supplying component such as silica gel of a mesh size of between about 30 mesh and 325 mesh in an amount by weight of up to about 80%. A packet for absorbing oxygen including a stain and grease resistant envelope containing the oxygen-absorbing composition. A grease and stain resistant laminate consisting of plies of various plastics and grease and stain resisting paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a bag-in-a-bag system wherein the outer bag is windowed and content indicia is displayed in the window. In this system high resolution graphic indicia is provided for the content indicia and low resolution indicia, usually text, is provided on the bag. Furthermore, the graphic indicia is applied to a patch which underlays the window but is larger than the window and smaller than the window-carrying panel, usually the front panel. Furthermore, a protective adhesive liner is applied to the front panel and secures the patch in place. This layer is of a size larger than the patch and a out the size of the inside of the front panel. A method for making this bag-in-a-bag system is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novelties and in particular to a novel candy holding and dispensing device which dispenses a liquid edible filling from a reservoir through a hollow stick attached to the sucker and through an channel (s) in the sucker type candy. This device includes a hollow plastic housing or reservoir which would contain a liquid edible filling. The hollow plastic housing may be pliable for applying a squeeze pressure to the liquid or of a hard plastic for which a piston force is necessary to force the liquid from the plastic housing. For a hard plastic housing or reservoir an attached threaded shaft is used. When turned, the threaded shaft pushes the liquid filling through a hollow stick at the top of the cylinder. The liquid filling then passes out of the hollow stick into a sucker type candy with channel (s) and oozes out at the top of the sucker type candy. The candy combination is now ready for consumption and eaten simultaneously.

Abstract: A double-chamber tea bag has a centerfold that is crimped by squeezing it between a toothed wheel and a plain wheel and a headfold in which the front chamber has a flap that folds over the part of the end of the front chamber between triangular folds at each corner.

Abstract: An absorbent packet for absorbing carbon dioxide at a rapid rate from a closed container, such as a package or can containing coffee and water vapor, including a porous envelope containing calcium oxide and a hydrating agent, such as silica gel with water adsorbed therein. The water vapor from the container permeates the envelope at a relatively rapid rate because of the affinity of silica gel for the water vapor in the container, and the silica gel becomes supersaturated and gives off water. The carbon dioxide from the environment also permeates the envelope because of its concentration outside of the envelope and because of the pressure gradient between the outside and inside of the envelope. The water given off by the supersaturated silica gel combines with the calcium oxide in the envelope to form calcium hydroxide. The carbon dioxide and the calcium hydroxide react to produce calcium carbonate and water.

Abstract: A method for fumigating a produce commodity comprising packing the commodity in a vented fumigation container (10, 18, 30) that is constructed from a solid-wall material that is substantially free of contaminants that would bind fumigant gas, fumigating the container and commodity contained therein in a fumigation chamber (40), and shipping the fumigated commodity in the containers.

Abstract: A suspended beverage infusion bag (10, 20) is disclosed. The bag has a cover (13, 23) which is two generally planar leaves (12, 22) separated by a fold line (14, 24). The fold line (14, 24) may be vertical or horizontal, depending on the style of the infusion bag. Both of the cover leaves (12, 22) have a downwardly-facing slot (11, 21) which fits over and fastens the cover (13, 23) to the rim (1) of a beverage cup (2), thereby holding the leaves (12, 22) in spaced-apart relationship on the cup rim (1). A porous filter bag (15, 25) is attached to the cover (13, 23); either along one of the filter bag's side surfaces (17, 27), or along its top edge, by a single glue line (31) on one side surface (18, 30) of a planar leave (12, 22). When one filter bag (15, 25)is used, it is attached to the cover (13, 23) near the fold line (14, 24). When two filter bags (15, 25) are used, they are attached to the cover near the side or bottom edges of the two leaves (12, 22).

Abstract: A container (8) which includes a disposable cup (10) is shown, together with a coating (12) of food-grade antifoaming agent at the inner surface of the cup. A method of speeding filling of the container is disclosed which includes pouring a beverage that foams and forms a foam head when poured into the cup. Collapse of the foam head is accelerated by the antifoaming agent (12) to permit an increase in the filling rate of the cup without overflow.

Abstract: A method and package for packaging and preserving a sliced cored whole fruit (10) together with a complementary food (18). The whole fruit is prepared by coring to define an elongate central passage (12) and slicing the whole fruit into a plurality of radially symmetric segments (14). The segments are assembled in the shape of a whole fruit around a moisture impermeable inner container (16) containing the complementary food. The inner container has approximately the same outer dimensions as the inner dimensions of the central passage so that the inner container essentially fills and displaces the majority of the air from the central passage. The assembled fruit segments and filled inner container are then sealed within an outer container (20).

Abstract: In a popcorn package for microwave popping, the subsequent popping of popcorn by microwave energy is enhanced by the use of a layer of metallized ink printed on the bag of a popcorn package. The metallized ink contains powdered aluminum and is of a commercial grade but diluted to provide an opacity level of light transmission in the range of 47% to 10%, such layer lying below the charge of popcorn and shortening during popping. The material of the bag comprises a pair of plies with the layer of metallized ink being printed to one of the plies and disposed between the plies of the bag.

Abstract: A shirred tubular thermoplastic casing article of an ethylene polymer film with a substantially mineral oil-free liquid lubricating coating on the outside surface of the casing, and in contact with the ethylene polymer film, with preferred coatings being polyhydric alcohols such as 1, 2 propylene glycol or glycerine in water, or an aqueous dispersion of lecithin, and a method of manufacturing the article and method for making a processed foodstuff using the article.

Abstract: A handle for a confectionery product that envelopes a housing detachably engaged to a support. The housing receives a novelty item. After the confectionery product is eaten the novelty item is released by breaking the support from the housing.

Abstract: A prepared package for use with a water heating device makes a liquid containing product. The package has an upper water containing chamber and a lower product ingredients containing chamber. The upper and lower chambers are completely separated from one another by a permanent liquid impervious membrane. The package includes a water outlet from the upper chamber and a water inlet to the lower chamber. The water inlet and the water outlet of the package have openable seals and are sized and orientated to fit with a water inlet and water outlet respectively of the water heating device to provide fluid communication between the package and the water heating device such that upon opening the seals, water flows from the upper chamber of the package through the water heating device and into the lower chamber of the package enabling heated water to mix with the product ingredients in making the product.