Abstract: A powdered drink brewing bag comprising a filter paper bag body having gusset walls and containing a powdered material, such as coffee powder therein. A frame type support member formed of thick paper is bonded to opposing walls of the bag body in the vicinity of the upper edge thereof in such a manner that the bag body is held at both surfaces thereof between the opposite surfaces of the support member. Arm portions project outwardly from the portions of the support member which correspond to both sides of the filter paper bag body, and are provided with folds and handles so that the arm portions are bent in the shape of the letter "Y" in plan to enable the gusset walls to be expanded. Accordingly, the upper edge portion of the bag body can be maintained in a largely opened state, so that the hot water can be poured thereinto easily. This enables the brewing bag to be used easily, and a drink, such as coffee to be obtained conveniently.

Abstract: A low pH egg wash substitute is prepared by blending maltodextrin having a DE of from 1 to 20% with a plasticizer, a secondary film former, 70 to 90% water and preferably a sufficient amount of a microbial inhibitor to effectively retard microbe growth. The composition is rendered essentially chloride ion free by circulating the concentrate through an anionic or mixed ion exchange resin bed. The substantially chloride ion free concentrate is then heat pasteurized and preferably purged with an inert gas. The concentrate is then added to a typical metal aerosol container (e.g., tin coated steel or aluminum) which is then charged with an appropriate propellant. The resulting aerosol packaged glaze forming composition has a low pH which retards microbial growth while at the same time is only mildy corrosive to its container.

Abstract: A bottle feeder comprises a tamper evident overcap, which captures a nipple and hold-down cap and has a pop-up indicator to insure the integrity of the bottle is discribed. Upon removal of the overcap the tamper evident band remains on the bottle and the pop-up indicator indicates the feeder has been opened. The nipple and hold-down cap can be withdrawn from the overcap and placed on the bottle for use.

Abstract: A method of plasma etching tungsten containing films such as is found in semiconductor interconnects. The etch method is conducted under reactive ion etch conditions in a plasma etch reactor using a gas mixture of CF.sub.4 and O.sub.2. The O.sub.2 preferably makes up 20% to 60% of the gas mixture by volume. The etch method is highly selective to titanium disilicide, titanium nitride and silicon dioxide.

Abstract: A cartridge of cup like shape having a substantially impervious frusta-conical wall provided with a first circumferential seal adjacent the open mouth of the cup and a second circumferential seal spaced toward the bottom of the cup. The bottom is perforated and is sealed by a strippable foil. The cartridge contains a preselected amount of material (say ground coffee) that fills the receptacle to a selected level. Preferably a plurality of such receptacles are packaged as telescoped stack of cartridges with a first receptacle telescoped within a second receptacle so that the second circumferential seal on the first cartridge is received in the first circumferential seal of the second receptacle thereby to seal the material in the second receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a single-dose espresso maker for preparing infusions in general, to be disposed of after being used. It consists of two glass-shaped containers, one of which contains water to be heated and the other of which, equipped with a filtering bottom wall, contains the infusion product; the mutually opposite mouths of both said containers are coupled with each other by grafting, with the interposition of a water-sealing disk-shaped element of pre-established strength, which can be broken by the pressure developed by heating water; and of at least one perforated disk-shaped element. After heating the water containing element, the pressure of generated water vapor causes the breakage of said sealing disk, enabling water to flow through the filter-container containing the infusion product and hence the desired infusion to be produced and fed to a container associated with the espresso maker.

Abstract: Thiosulfate in anhydrous form is added in minute amounts to beverages or food mixes, wherein tap water is added in quantities not greater than about one quart, to neutralize or destroy chlorines or chloramines in the water, such neutralization or destruction taking place almost instantaneously and, in any event, in a length of time not greater than about twenty seconds, depending upon the pH of the beverage or food. The thiosulfate may be added directly to the beverage or to the water or may be mixed with syrup or powder mix, and may be encapsulated with a food grade material which is readily dissolvable in water. Because of the rapid reaction of the thiosulfate with the chlorines and chloramines, the neutralization or destruction of same is essentially complete before a person commences to consume the food or beverage. The thiosulfate may be applied to articles which are inserted into the beverage or the food, or which receive same such as cups, stirrers, straws and the like.

Abstract: A drinking straw arrangement including a drinking tube containing a powdered flavoring laminated to an interior surface of the drinking tube for dissolving upon contact with a fluid directed through the tube, with end caps removably mounted relative to the tube for preserving freshness of the flavoring therewithin. A modification of the invention includes spaced inserts, wherein the inserts define metering chambers therebetween as the inserts maintain fluid about the inserts for enhancing dissolving of flavoring contained within the inserts. The inserts are formed of a honeycomb structure defined by conduits surrounded by columns of powdered flavoring, such as chocolate. Alternative inserts may be utilized into woven strands of flavoring to enhance surface area contact of the flavoring with a fluid directed therethrough.

Abstract: A tea bag with a squeezing device is provided and consists of a string attached at one end to an infusion bag with a quantity of ground tea leaves sealed therein. A cover being of two panels is joined together along a fold line and has a hole at the center of the fold line. The string passes through the hole with a tag attached to the other end of the string. The panels of the cover can be used to squeeze the infusion bag to extract infusion liquid from the bag and as a disposable structure therefore after said infusion bag is used.

Abstract: In order to reduce splitting in a perforated, heat shrinkable, thermoplastic bags made from seamless tubing, rather than employ needle punched perforations, it has been discovered that slits cut by a knife blade will surprisingly reduce the splitting when a product, such as a meat product, is cooked within the bag.

Abstract: A lobster packaging and display unit that is preferably made of molded plastic material and free of any sharp edge or corner and comprises at least one and preferably two trays, each shaped and sized to receive and conform to a lobster and to display this lobster to best advantage.

Abstract: A cassette for producing coffee by the cup or pot and for use with a liquid receptacle having an internal locking flange. The cassette comprises a ring defining an interior and forming a bottom annular groove to receive the locking flange of the liquid receptacle and thereby to hold the cassette in place therein. The cassette further includes a plurality of ribs connected to and extending across the ring and separating the interior thereof into a multitude of sections, and coffee particles disposed in said sections. A bottom filter and a top filter are secured to the ring and extend across the bottom and top, respectively, of the interior of the ring to hold the flavoring particles therein. Preferably, the cassette is packaged in a sealed vacuum pack; and as it is so packaged, the mass of particles in each section of the cassette is reshaped slightly and formed into a firm conglomerate, which facilitates the subsequent flow of hot water through the cassette.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for preparing a frozen comestible for consumption, comprising:(a) combining frozen food constituents with a substantially dry sauce concentrate;(b) adding a discrete portion of a microwave-power absorbing liquid medium to the combination; and(c) heating the combination with a source of microwave power.In a further embodiment, the invention also relates to a microwaveable, individual portion serving container, said container provided with a measuring closure, said container containing a frozen comestible comprising a quantity of frozen constituents and a substantially dry sauce concentrate, wherein said closure includes venting means to off-gas steam generated when said frozen comestible is combined with a microwave power absorbing liquid medium and heated with a source of microwave power.

Abstract: A microwave package for packaging a combination of products and ingredients, including a package formed as a bag and constructed of paper, polymer film, or the like, having collapsible gussets formed at each side, a first product chamber formed internally at a lower location of the package, at least a pair of heat seals formed upwardly of the bag, and one or more upper chambers formed therein for holding of seasoning and flavoring ingredients within said upper chambers, while a food product, or the like, to be cooked as arranged within the lower formed chamber, so that during microwaving, said seals are strategically broken due to generated heat and pressure to provide for a deposition of the flavoring onto the cooked or cooking food product to provide a readily servable food fully seasoned upon conclusion of its microwave cooking.

Abstract: An Easter egg decorating and coloring kit for dyeing and painting Easter eggs and including an arrangement of dye chambers integrally formed and arranged in a linear orientation. A paint tray having paint receptacles and a paintbrush receptacle for placement of a paintbrush therein is integrally formed with and extends outwardly from a rear top edge of the dye chambers. A ladle for placement and removal of the Easter eggs from within the dye chambers is removably supported on a front of the dye chambers and includes an envelope attached to a head portion thereof containing dye tablets of a variety of colors to be dissolved within the chambers to form a dye solution.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrated cheese package and grater of cylindrical form having a grating screen secured at the bottom of the cylindrical package and means freely rotatable within the package for engaging and turning a cylindrical block of cheese within the package to cause it to be grated with the granules passing through the grating screen. The package is provided with removable sealing strips on the top and/or bottom for enhanced shelf life. Top and bottom caps are provided for resealing the package after use to maintain freshness. One cheese rotating unit comprises a plastic disc having blades on the bottom surface and finger grippable projections on the top thereof. In a variation of the package, the cheese has a central axial hole and the top cap has a shaft extending downward which cooperates with a disc having spikes to engage the cheese block thereby forming a cheese rotating unit; when the top cap is closed the extending shaft resides in the central hollow of the cheese.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electrical conduction cooking of food in a package. The package includes two electrodes including a raised portion of the bottom wall and a planar top electrode and wherein the recessed area between the raised portion of the bottom wall and the sidewall of the package defines a peripheral reservoir. The food is cooked by passing electrical current through the food and allowing the drainage and accumulation of exuded products from the food product being cooked so as to prevent contamination of the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A sucker is disclosed in which the edible portion cannot be separated from the stick. A support member for the edible is formed from a semi-rigid plastic material, including a loop-shaped handle portion, a body portion for the edible, and a coupling for fixably connecting the handle portion to the body portion. The body portion can be shaped for modeling a prototype such as a cartoon character or a vehicle. The body portion can be loop-shaped for enhancing the security of the edible, and the loop configuration can also simulate the object. The body and handle portions are formed with a lobed cross-sectional shape simulative of a rope for enhancing support of the edible material, and for a desired combination of strength, flexibility, and ease of gripping the handle portion. The edible material can include a first edible layer shaped for simulating a prototype object, and a second edible layer that is at least semi-transparent for permitting view of the first edible layer.

Abstract: An improved microwavable package of laminar construction, having its inner layer constructed of a film whose inherent seal strength is sufficiently high that the inside of the package need not have extraneous reinforcement to maintain its integrity filling, storage, distribution and cooking. The microwavable package is ventable and easily opened by virture of a strip of heat sealable adhesive coated along its top edge immediately inside the opening of the bag and having a seal strength less than that of the package formed seals, to mask the package's normal seal strength.

Abstract: A disposable coffee-brewing apparatus comprising a collapsible and expandable housing for supporting a filter element containing ground coffee. In its collapsed configuration the housing forms a flat parcel which can be provided with detachable sealing tabs or can be packaged in a separately sealed envelope. In its expanded configuration, the housing forms a generally tubular structure for placement around a drinking cup or other receptacle such that the coffee-brewing apparatus surrounds or substantially surrounds the receptacle and is situated on the same surface which supports the drinking receptacle. The expanded housing supports a filter element directly over the drinking receptacle such that hot water can be poured into the filter element, passing through coffee grounds therein and into the receptacle below to create a cup of fresh brewed coffee. After dispensing the coffee beverage, the housing can be collapsed once again and the coffee-brewing apparatus discarded.