Abstract: A bottle crown cap, particularly for beer bottles, comprising a metal shell and a liner of thermoplastic polyurethane. The liner material is completely reacted, then applied directly to the shell by a hot melt process.

Abstract: A food package for cooking of the food in a microwave oven is formed of a heat-resistant synthetic resin impermeable to oil and moisture and has at least one opening for allowing steam to escape when the internal pressure in the package is increased beyond a certain value by the steam generated during heating. The number of openings and the size of each opening are selected with consideration of the package volume or size and the type of food to be packaged so as to adjustably maintain within the package a pressure and a temperature each of which are within a range of predefined values during cooking in the oven. The package distends with increase of the internal pressure to provide a visual indication that cooking is complete. A method of cooking the packaged food comprises using the described package which adjustably maintains the internal pressure in the package within the range of about 1.00 to about 1.15 atm and the temperature within the range of about 100.degree. to about 105.degree. C.

Abstract: A technique is described by which a predetermined amount by weight of ground coffee can be packaged into a container while the coffee density may vary within a range. The amount of ground coffee is supplied into a container along a feed path to fill the container and form a column that extends above the upper rim of the container. The ground coffee is compressed to a predetermined head level by compressing a region around the feed path while leaving a small column of uncompressed coffee. In another embodiment, the volume of the container is expanded during compression by outwardly deforming a container end. This enables the stiffening of the ground coffee to support a smooth unbeaded outer wall after vacuum packing without paneling effects.

Abstract: A storage receptacle provided with a receptacle body opened on its upper side, a covering member for covering the opening portion of the receptacle body and a permeable film member having a permeability to gases and a moisture permeability from 1500 to 3500 g/m.sup.2 .multidot.24 hr and formed at least on a portion of the receptacle body or covering member.

Abstract: An assembly for packaging a frozen food is adapted to be exposed to microwave energy such that the frozen food is processed and, in particular, defrosted efficiently from its solid to its liquid state. The assembly includes a container normally disposed on the bottom, and a cover normally disposed on the top of the assembly and adapted to be releasably engaged with the container to form the assembly. When assembled, the cover and container support in a generally upright orientation the frozen food. The cover includes means for supporting only a top portion of the frozen food, while exposing the bottom portion of the frozen food directly to microwave energy.

Abstract: Ground coffee is packaged in a disposable brewing device for use in brewing a mug of coffee in a novel and unique manner facilitated by the use of a microwave oven. To prepare a freshly brewed mug of coffee the disposable device is inserted into and attached unto a coffee mug, water is added and the mug is placed in a microwave oven. A resilient stable element supports and anchors a filter bag containing premeasured amount of ground coffee beans. Expandable inner volume of filter bag facilitates percolation, minimizes buoyant force and prevents spill-over. Materials with varied coefficients of absorption to microwave energy are utilized in construction so that desired temperature differences are realized.

Abstract: A gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen and argon is provided to extend the shelf life of sea-food products and fish from 15 to 21 days at the storage temperature of 4.degree.0 C.Comparison is made with similar mixtures comprising nitrogen in lieu of argon which shows the unexpected results obtained with the mixtures of the invention.

Abstract: To prepare instant food products having a long storage life, such as soups or sauces incorporating a garnishing, including vegetables having intermediate moisture content which are stabilized microbiologically and organoleptically without the aid of humectants such as polyols and sugars and which, when prepared in the soups or sauces, resemble freshly prepared products, the vegetables are blanched or cooked, partially dehydrated and dry mixed with salt. Glutamate and anti-mycotic agents may be added and the vegetables may be compacted to further enhance their stability.

Abstract: Disclosed are packaged cut product blends of vegetables salad mixtures for refrigerated storage which enjoy increased shelf life without the need for gas absorbents or anti-oxidants. The package includes a sealed imperforate container disposed within which are a quantity of perishable produce cut pieces with reduced respiratory rates in a bed having a bed depth of about 1 to 6 inches. The package includes an equilibrium headspace composition comprising by volume of 1.5 to 0.8% oxygen, 8 to 12% carbon dioxide and balance nitrogen which, surprisingly, is optimal for reduced aerobic respiration rates for substantially all cut produce blends. The package further includes a gas permeable portion such that about 18 to 32 cc. of oxygen is admittable to the package per 24 hr. per oz. of produce.

Abstract: A process for forming a flexible, generally tubular, three-surface, single-pleated, microwave-penetrable package for use in cooking popcorn. Two transverse seals and one lengthwise-extending seam seal the package. Venting means releases accumulated steam produced by the popping corn and the package maintains its expanded structure even after venting has commenced. A convenient means of opening the package is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a food product, such as a pizza, supported on a handle held by a diner while being eaten. Pizza dough is prepared and then rolled out into sheets of dough which are cut into rectangular-shaped pieces. A handle with a disc is laid within one longitudinal margin of the piece. Two longitudinal margins and one transverse margin are moistened to develop adhesiveness. The central portion of the piece is filled with a food filler abutting the disc. The unmoistened margin is lapped over the food filler to form a generally cylindrical pouch. The transverse moistened margin is lapped over the unmoistened margin to form a seal. The upper longitudinal margin is crimped together to seal the pouch at the top, and the lower longitudinal margin is crimped against the disc and the handle to provide good support of the food product on the handle. Thereafter, the formed food product is heated for a predetermined time to form an edible pizza.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the aseptic packaging of fluid dairy products having improved stability and flavor. A selected gas is injected into the sterile milk or other fluid dairy product. The resulting milk-gas mixture is then filled into a container under aseptic conditions. The fill volume of the mixture is such as to leave no free space in the container when it is closed. However, on standing the gas and the milk separate, to form a gas-filled headspace. The injection gas is preferably nitrogen. For taste improvement, the gas may be selected so that the oxygen content of the fluid dairy product, when the container is closed, is up to 4 ppm to 5 ppm. The headspace is preferably from about 2% to about 6% of the total volume of the container.

Abstract: A package for microwaving heating or cooking a food item such as an egg roll, which requires surface browning or crispening, comprises a vented tray, a drapable, liquid permeable, microwave susceptive composite material, draped over the food item, and a film lid covering the tray and conformed to the shape of the food item.

Abstract: An ice-cream cone is disclosed which comprises a holding part, a gripping part, and at least two vertical wall surface parts of the shape on an inverted triangle. When a plurality of three or more of such ice-cream cones are positioned for their vertical wall surface parts to be opposed to each other and are united, the holding parts of the individual cones proper are kept in a horizontal state. Thus, different kinds of ice cream can be placed separately of each other on the horizontally maintained holding parts. An ice cream cone holder is also disclosed for holding the plurality of three or more ice cream cones together as a unit.

Abstract: Powdered cellulose is treated by combining it with a flavoring agent and from 25 to 75 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of powdered cellulose, which is an amount of water sufficient to wet substantially all of the cellulose, mixing the whole and then heating the mixture to remove most of the water from the treated cellulose. A gelling agent also advantageously is combined with the powdered cellulose, flavoring agent and water before mixing the whole and then removing the water.

Abstract: A method of preparing popcorn in a flexible, generally tubular, three-surface, single-pleated, microwave-penetrable package. Two transverse seals and one lengthwise-extending seam seal the package. Venting means releases accumulated steam produced by the popping corn and the package maintains its expanded structure even after venting has commenced. A convenient means of opening the package is also provided.

Abstract: A simple coffee bean roasting device as disclosed which can be used as a container to store coffee beans in an airtight condition and is also capable of roasting the coffee beans easily and quickly by use of a home-use gas heater. The coffee bean roasting device is simple in structure and it is composed of a container of aluminum foil, a cover of a transparent cellophane, and a handle.

Abstract: An improved communion container for containing a portion of wine/grape juice and a portion of bread. The container includes a cup containing the portion of wine/grape juice, the cup having an open mouth; a lid for being secured to the cup about the open mouth to close the open mouth and to seal the portion of wine/grape juice within the cup, the lid having a tab portion for allowing easy manual removal of the lid from the cup; a receptacle containing the portion of bread, the receptacle having a cavity for containing the portion of bread and including structure for closing the cavity to seal the portion of bread within the cavity; and attachment structure for attaching the receptacle to the cup after the portion of wine/grape juice is sealed within the cup and after the portion of bread is sealed within the cavity of the receptacle and with the tab portion of the lid positioned beneath a portion of the receptacle to prevent inadvertent removal of the lid until the receptacle is opened.

Abstract: A container comprising an uniaxially oriented, polyolefin film, which film is prepared by melt blending a mixture of a polyolefin, an inert filler, a processing aid such as calcium stearate, and optionally a stabilizer, maintaining the moisture level in the melt blend below 700 ppm, casting a film, and uniaxially stretching the film at least about 2 times its original casting dimensions in one direction until the film has a sufficient number of elongated, narrow shaped, microporous voids in order to create a CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 permeance in the range of 5,000 to 10,000,000 cc/100.sup.2 - atm - day. Such a film is used in a controlled atmosphere packaging container as a panel in a window for a controlled flow or flux of CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 through its wall in an otherwise gas impermeable container.

Abstract: The invention is a system including a disposable cartridge for use with a drip type beverage brewing machine. The cartridge comprises a first cup, which has an open first end and a substantially closed second and, the second end being penetrated by at least one port. A filter member shaped substantially congruent with the first cup and coextensive with the first cup, has an open end coincident with the open end of the first cup and a closed end spaced away from the closed end of the first cup. A closure member has an open end and a substantially closed end, is concentric with and secured to and encloses the first cup. The closed end closes the open end of the first cup, and the closed end of the closure member is penetrated by a plurality of holes. A shallow receptacle adjoins the closed end of the closure member and is in fluid communication with the penetrating holes.