Abstract: A shrimp tray having a raised, circular, outer rim, a first annular surface extending downwardly from the outer rim toward the center of the tray and a central recessed area. The first annular surface includes a lower portion that defines a plurality of drain holes. The tray is preferably made from a single sheet of material having a uniform thickness. A plurality of shrimp are nested relative to each other on the first annular surface with their tail ends overhanging the circular outer rim of the tray and their forward ends preferably contacting an annular wall. An annular spacer member may be provided to increase the diameter of the tray. Additional annular surfaces may be provided for serving additional layers of shrimp.

Abstract: A method for making an edible, full-dimensional toy figure constructed of prepared cereal for consumption with an edible liquid, such as milk and the like, wherein a multiplicity of discrete, individual prepared cereal elemental members are arranged in the form of the full-dimensional toy figure and are bound together with a binding medium which retains the multiplicity of cereal elemental members self-sustaining in the form of the full-dimensional toy figure and is responsive to exposure to the edible liquid for relatively rapid dissolution and essentially immediate release of the retention of the self-sustaining arrangement into a mixture of the discrete individual prepared cereal elemental members in the edible liquid suitable for consumption.

Abstract: Packaging for seafood that may have been coated in sauce or marinated, including the optional use of pallet structure for positioning the product within the packaging to be vacuum sealed and flash frozen before being subsequently microwaved without rupture of the packaging until after microwaving.

Abstract: Packaging for lobster, within which the product may be microwaved, including the use of pallet structure for positioning the lobster within the packaging to avoid penetration of the plastic wrapping film by shell structure. The packaging is vacuum sealed, flash frozen and distributed to be subsequently microwaved without rupture of the packaging until after microwaving.

Abstract: The product includes a shell which is generally cup-shaped with a rim in the form of an annular flange which projects radially outwardly of the product. This rim avoids the risk of smearing when the product is grasped by keeping contact with it to a minimum while, at the same time, ensuring that the product is held securely in its packaging.

Abstract: A process and packaging for shrimp, bacon wrapped, and coated in sauce, in which the product is vacuum sealed within packaging before being flash frozen for shipping and storage.

Abstract: Packaging for shellfish and other seafood in which the product may be microwaved, including the use of pallet structure for positioning the product within the packaging to avoid penetration by shells, fish bones or fins of the plastic wrapping film to enable the product to be preserved by flat packing and vacuum sealing to be subsequently microwaved without rupture of the packaging until intentionally done at the completion of microwaving.

Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products preferably in an arcuate configuration, the package having a meat product forming section with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position under tension within the recesses for storage and display. An alternative embodiment includes a method of arcuately shaping straight sticks of meat products cooked or smoked in a casing and placing them in a formed film pocket made on a form-fill-seal rollstock packaging machine.

Abstract: A process and packaging for shellfish and other seafood, including the use of pallet structure for positioning the product within the packaging to avoid penetration by shells, fish bones or fins of the plastic wrapping film to enable the product to be preserved by flat packing and vacuum sealing and then placed within an outer package designed to promote a pleasing appearance of the product within.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a fully cooked shelf stable or refrigerated acidified pasta product which includes the steps of mixing pasta ingredients with an encapsulated, hot water soluble/cold water insoluble edible acid, forming the dough into a pasta, steaming the pasta a first time, then treating the steamed pasta with water, afterwards steaming the pasta a second time and finally packaging the twice steamed pasta either with heat processing or under modified atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A packaged egg omelet mix facilitates preparation of omelets by microwave heating. An upper container portion holds an omelet inlay, such as cheese, diced vegetables and diced meat, and has a cylindrical body and an upper end wall. A lower container portion also has a cylindrical body and encloses a sealed container holding an aseptically-packaged liquid egg. The omelet is prepared by depositing the liquid egg and omelet inlay into the lower container portion, and placing the lower container portion in a microwave oven for heating.

Abstract: An edible, full-dimensional toy figure constructed of prepared cereal for consumption with a liquid, such as milk and the like, includes a multiplicity of discrete, individual prepared cereal elemental members arranged in the form of the full-dimensional toy figure and bound together with a binding medium which retains the multiplicity of cereal elemental members self-sustaining in the form of the full-dimensional toy figure and is responsive to exposure to the liquid for relatively rapid dissolution and essentially immediate release of the retention of the self-sustaining arrangement into a mixture of the discrete individual prepared cereal elemental members in the liquid suitable for consumption, and a method for preparing the edible, full-dimensional toy figure.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for packaging beverages such as fruit juice provides plastic pouches filled with juice and sealed to form containers that are shelf stable for extended periods. The process involves limited heating, holding and cooling times for the juice. Preferred film for the pouches includes a multilayer construction having a barrier core and heat sealable outer layers.

Abstract: A thin walled, easily crushable container with an integral or seamed-on bottom is filled with an edible material which requires sterilization. The empty container has one end attached or integral that may have a concave slope relative to the inside of the container. A liquified or solidified inert gas is then inserted into the container. The container is then sealed with a concave shaped end before the inert liquified or solidified gas has completely vaporized. The ends are such that they do not bulge under the pressure left after sterilization, which pressure is due to the pressurization effect of the inert gas and which pressure is enough to overcome the vacuum caused by the cooling of hot water vapor or steam above the edible material and gives the can the required rigidity.

Abstract: An edible shell/thermoplastic container system consists of a first substantially hemispherical edible shell and a second substantially hemispherical edible shell. The thermoplastic container preferably consists of a first substantially non-hemispherical shell and a second substantially non-hemispherical shell that differs from the first non-hemispherical shell. The first non-hemispherical thermoplastic shell and second non-hemispherical thermoplastic shell are held together by a fastening system that can be easily unfastened to gain access to a novelty item that may be stored in said thermoplastic container.

Abstract: A method of preparing raw molluscan shellfish meat in the shell is disclosed which employs a mild heat treatment and cold storage for the destruction or reduction to lower levels of harmful pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae and others. The raw molluscan shellfish, such as oysters, arrives at the processing plant in a refrigerated state. The mollusks then have a band placed around them, securing them against opening. The banded mollusks are then placed in a fluid bath at a sufficient temperature and duration to kill pathogens yet leave the meat in a raw state. The mollusks are then conveyed from the heated fluid bath and placed in a cold fluid bath. The mollusks are then removed from the cold fluid bath. The natural enclosure of the mechanically banded mollusk prevents the hot or cold fluids from contacting the flesh of the mollusk. The mollusks remain in a raw state and in the shell throughout the process. The pathogenic bacteria are reduced through the action of this process.

Abstract: A microwave and oven safe packaging is provided which may be repeatedly resealed. The packing includes a top panel, a back panel, side panels and a bottom panel which define an enclosure in which a food item may be placed. The top and bottom panels have a top and a bottom, and the tops of the top and bottom panels are positionable substantially adjacent each other to define a top of the packaging. A non-metallic, flexible closure is provided which may be used to repeatedly close the package. The closure includes an elongate inner portion which extends generally parallel to the sides of the package. The inner portion is adhered to the bag front panel and is spaced from the top of the panel. An upper portion has a free and a fixed end. The upper portion is adhered to the bottom of the inner portion at its fixed end. The upper portion is longer than the inner portion and its free end extends beyond the top of the package to be wrapped about the top of the package and adhered to the back panel of the packaging.

Abstract: A disk-shaped container for a disk-shaped lollipop includes a handle having a proximal end buried in the lollipop and a distal end for grasping by the user. A transverse flange of predetermined diameter is fixably located on the handle between the proximal and distal ends adjacent the lollipop. The longitudinal axis of the handle passes through the transverse flange. The invention further includes a hollow disk-shaped container for receiving the disk-shaped lollipop. The disk-shaped container includes a snap-fit removable lid and an upwardly extending removable mating portion functioning as a removable receptacle. The mating portion of the container includes an opening in the sidewall for receiving the distal end of the handle. When assembled, the transverse flange of the handle seats against the opening in the mating portion of the container and seals the opening to prevent leakage therethrough.

Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products, preferably in an arcuate configuration, having a meat product forming station with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position within the recesses for storage and display.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article for absorbing drips while consuming a frozen treat, and more particularly a device which can be axially received on an end of a stick and slid upwardly adjacent to a lower end of a frozen portion of the treat. In the preferred embodiment, the drip-absorbing article comprises a first absorbent member which encloses a second absorbent member. As drips fall from the frozen treat, the absorbent members absorb the drips and prevent contact with a user's hands and/or clothing. Additionally, as the frozen treat is consumed by the consumer, the article can be used to push the remaining portion of the frozen treat upwardly so that the consumer does not have to insert the stick handle into her mouth, which can be dangerous to children, nor eat the frozen treat from the sides, which generally results in the frozen treat falling off its stick.