Abstract: A cartridge for forming a beverage includes a container defining an interior space, a filter, a beverage medium contained in the interior space, and a filter guard. The filter may be arranged so that liquid that interacts with the beverage medium flows through the filter to exit the interior space. The container may include a surface arranged to be pierced by a piercing member to permit beverage to exit the container. The filter guard may be arranged to contact the piercing member to resist damage to the filter when the container surface is pierced. In one embodiment, the filter guard and filter may be in contact with the container surface that is pierced, yet damage to the filter that might be caused by the piercing element may be avoided.

Abstract: A semi-automatic food cooking apparatus comprising: a control unit; a communication unit; and a cooking compartment comprising: a cooking cartridge loading tray; a movable press; a movable cooking base; and a cooking cartridge lid guide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making frozen food products from a fruit puree, i.e. a flowable banana meat or a flowable blend of fruit meat and other edible ingredients. A composition that includes peeled bananas and at least one antioxidant may be mixed in a mixing device at ambient temperature and under less than one atmosphere of pressure, forming the puree. The temperature of the puree is reduced to a semi-frozen state by passing the puree through a heat exchanger. The semi-frozen puree is then formed into food products with a pre-determined volume, shape, and weight by a molding or extrusion process. Sticks, if desired, may be inserted, and the shaped puree is then frozen to solidified cores. The solidified cores may be coated with chocolate and treated with other edible toppings and then packaged.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of beverages by means of a capsule comprising a side wall (5), an entry surface (6) for the entrance of water under pressure into the capsule (1), the side wall (5) and the entry surface (6) forming the containment volume (V) for containing the infusion or soluble product (P), and the entry surface (6) comprising one or more reduced thickness areas (3), wherein the method comprises the following steps: pushing the entry surface (6) of the capsule (1) using pushing means (S) and injecting a flux of water under pressure so as to open the one or more reduced thickness areas (3) of the entry surface (6) so as to allow the water under pressure to enter the capsule (1).

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage and connectable to a machine for supplying sanitized liquid to the capsule is disclosed. The capsule includes a product compartment and a spout that includes a housing and a fluid connector adapted to be fluidly connected to the machine and to supply liquid inside the product compartment.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for monitoring pre-prepared meals which can be assembled as a plurality of portions. Assembled pre-prepared meals can be monitored starting from their assembly up to the ultimate consumption. Pre-prepared meals are arranged on tray-like containers and a data carrier is fastened which contains meal-specific data. These meal-specific data can be read out at at least two reading stations to be able to keep a record of the conditions of manufacture, storage and/or cooling.

Abstract: An infuser comprises a container comprising a material with pores, content(s) bounded by the container, and a sealing substance configured to resist substantial movement of the content(s) through the pores of the material until the sealing substance is exposed to an external solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a food box that includes an outer box and an inner bag located within the outer box configured to preserve food contents within the inner bag by preventing air from entering into the inner bag. The cereal box further includes an opening in the inner bag and a cap configured to seal the opening. The cap is attachable and unattachable to the opening. Air is prevented from entering into the inner bag through the opening when the cap is attached. The outer box includes a perforated portion that is removable from the outer box, and when the removable portion is removed, the cap is exposed. Further included herein is a method of forming the food box.

Abstract: The present description includes containers having an improved puncture design that can be punctured without substantial deformation of the container. Such containers are particularly suitable for use in preparing beverages using automatic machines, particularly those used for preparation of single serve beverages. Also provided are thermoplastic materials having improved punctureability for use in containers, containers for preparation of a beverage, and methods for preparing a beverage using such containers.

Abstract: A convertible container assembly comprising a convertible container body. The container body includes angular series of conversion demarcations, defining an angular conversion section, and, optionally, at least one storage conversion demarcation, defining a storage conversion section. The angular conversion section includes a portion of a sidewall of the container body and a bottom portion of the container body. The angular conversion section toggles between an expanded configuration having a common horizontal upper rim and a compressed configuration creating a new container body support surface, angling the upper rim. The depth conversion section toggles between an expanded configuration as a container and a compressed configuration collapsing the container for storage. The conversion section can employ a single section or a series of sections, wherein the series of sections enable an accordion styled formation when collapsed.

Abstract: A cartridge may comprise a container, a filter, a lid, and a substance. The container may comprise a pierceable bottom portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a first machine piercing element. The filter may be disposed inside the container. The filter may comprise a pre-shaped concave center portion, attachment portions and an opening. The pre-shaped concave center portion may be disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The attachment portion(s) may be along a periphery of the pre-shaped concave center portion and fastened to the container bottom. The filter opening may contact a sidewall of the container. The lid may be attached to an opening of the container and may comprise a pierceable lid portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a second machine piercing element. The substance may be disposed in an interior space of the filter.

Abstract: Provided is a frozen pasta retaining an original flavor of the pasta. A frozen pasta attached with a ground pasta product and/or durum wheat flour. A process for producing a frozen pasta, comprising cooling a boiled pasta and attaching, to the surface of the pasta, a ground product of a pasta, followed by freezing.

Abstract: Packaged food product and process utilizes a first and a second half-shell of edible material. Each of the first and second half-shells of edible material is coated with a respective covering adhering to its inner and outer surface, each covering including a first and a second half-shell of sheet material, shaped so as to adhere to the inner and respectively the outer surface of the respective half-shell of edible material, the half-shells of sheet material being connected together along their respective peripheral edges so as to form a closed covering which encloses the half-shell of edible material. The half-shells of to edible material, coated with the respective covering, are retained in close relationship.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to control banana and plantain quality by providing packaging in laser microperforated plastic bags having registered microperforation arrays to allow for transmission of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene gases into and out. The method improves even ripening of the bananas and plantains, extends green life and yellow life of the bananas and plantains, controls dehydration and reduces crown mold and pedicle withering of packed bananas and plantains during transport and storage.

Abstract: A packaged food product includes a bottom receptacle having a lower portion defining an interior and an upper portion extending about the upper periphery of the interior; a food product provided within the interior; a top film sealed to the upper portion of the bottom receptacle via a seal portion extending substantially along the upper periphery of the interior and comprising at least one substantially straight side. The seal portion may be configured to release steam at approximately the midpoint of the substantially straight side of the seal portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single serve capsule for preparing a beverage, comprising a side wall and a bottom, which together define a space, a filter element being sealed to the bottom within said space.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for enhancing the flexibility and increasing throughput capacity while reducing cost and improving the quality of food and drink products within a continuous sterilization system using novel product carriers, in conjunction with unique user controllable product rotation and agitation features, capable of handling novel as well as existing product containers, are described. A further aspect of the invention is a property of the uniquely designed product carrier to accommodate and optimally orientate said product containers. A final aspect of the invention is the further capability of individual product carriers to undertake any user-defined processing program including product pasteurization or product stabilization or product sterilization within an essentially continuous sterilization system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for preparing sandwiches (subs, wraps) and meal, such as Shawarma, Gyros and Doner Kebab sandwiches and meals. The apparatus includes a grilling mechanism, a smoking mechanism, a slicing mechanism, sandwich and meal assembly mechanism, sandwich wrapping and packing mechanism and accepting money and credit card mechanism. The slicing mechanism is configured to slice a cylinder or cone of meat in an automated, substantially helical slicing pattern. The sandwich assembly includes various components to automatically dispense selected bread, condiments, and other sandwich and meal ingredients and wrapping and packing the sandwich.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a capsule (11) containing a beverage ingredient, adapted to be functionally inserted in a food preparation machine (1), said capsule comprising walls (12) that define a cavity wherein said beverage is prepared by mixing said ingredient with a fluid injected therein under pressure by said machine, said capsule further comprising a dispensing opening (13), and opening means that open upon effect of the rise of pressure within said cavity, characterized in that said opening means comprise a flow-conducting channel (14) able to connect the capsule cavity to the dispensing opening (13) and a spring-mounted piston plug (15) that is movable in said channel between: (i) a closed position where said cavity pressure is below a first predetermined pressure Pc, the piston spring (16) is at rest, and the piston plug (15) seals against a sealing portion (19) of the channel walls, (ii) a dispensing position where said cavity pressure is equal or superior to Pc, the piston spring (16) is elasti