Abstract: The methods and products disclosed herein relate to high solids concentrated dairy liquids that remain retort and shelf stable for an extended shelf life at ambient conditions with substantially no negative flavor notes typically found in the prior retorted dairy liquids. In one aspect, the stable concentrated dairy liquids have up to about 50 percent total solids, and in some approaches, between about 38 and about 50 percent total solids. In another aspect, the high solids concentrated dairy liquids may also include increased levels of sugar relative to the dairy solids and/or increased levels of sugar relative to the protein and fat to aid in achieving stability.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating high solids concentrated milk products to delay gelation of the concentrated milk products by minimizing the rate at which the viscosity of the concentrates increases during cold storage. By another approach, the methods described herein are effective to substantially reduce the viscosity of the concentrated milk products. The methods described herein advantageously increase the length of time the high solids milk concentrates remain fluid and pumpable during refrigerated shelf-life. The high solids concentrated milk products treated with the methods provided herein include about 33 to about 43 percent total solids. By one approach, the high solids concentrated milk products have a pH of about 4.6 to about 6.7, and include salt at about 0.25 to about 6 percent by weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating high solids concentrated milk products to delay gelation of the concentrated milk products by minimizing the rate at which the viscosity of the concentrates increases during cold storage. By another approach, the methods described herein are effective to substantially reduce the viscosity of the concentrated milk products. The methods described herein advantageously increase the length of time the high solids milk concentrates remain fluid and pumpable during refrigerated shelf-life. The high solids concentrated milk products treated with the methods provided herein include about 33 to about 43 percent total solids. By one approach, the high solids concentrated milk products have a pH of about 4.6 to about 6.7, and include salt at about 0.25 to about 6 percent by weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: Spoonable, pourable, and/or spreadable dressings or edible continuous aqueous emulsions are provided that include a fat blend that is a specific balance of a solid fat portion or solid fat fraction (which may or may not be pre-crystallized) and a liquid fat portion in effective relative amounts, such that when the fat blend is added to dressings and edible continuous aqueous emulsions, lower fat versions effectively mimic the sensory, texture, viscosity, storage modulus, and/or yield stress of much higher fat dressings or emulsions.

Abstract: The methods and products disclosed herein relate to high solids concentrated dairy liquids that remain retort and shelf stable for an extended shelf life at ambient conditions with substantially no negative flavor notes typically found in the prior retorted dairy liquids. In one aspect, the stable concentrated dairy liquids have up to about 50 percent total solids, and in some approaches, between about 38 and about 50 percent total solids. In another aspect, the high solids concentrated dairy liquids may also include increased levels of sugar relative to the dairy solids and/or increased levels of sugar relative to the protein and fat to aid in achieving stability.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating high solids concentrated milk products to delay gelation of the concentrated milk products by minimizing the rate at which the viscosity of the concentrates increases during cold storage. By another approach, the methods described herein are effective to substantially reduce the viscosity of the concentrated milk products. The methods described herein advantageously increase the length of time the high solids milk concentrates remain fluid and pumpable during refrigerated shelf-life. The high solids concentrated milk products treated with the methods provided herein include about 33 to about 43 percent total solids. By one approach, the high solids concentrated milk products have a pH of about 4.6 to about 6.7, and include salt at about 0.25 to about 6 percent by weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: An improved filling composition for coated confectionery products, particularly chocolate and chocolate-based confectionery products with an unrefrigerated shelf-life of more than about four weeks, when properly stored and handled is provided. Provided is a filling composition with a significant reduction in fat content, particularly in cocoa butter and other saturated fats, and a significant reduction in overall caloric content when compared to conventional chocolate-based, coated confections. This calorie reduction, for example, may be more than about 40% in a confection of the invention with a 1:1 ratio by weight of coating and filling when compared to similar conventional confections.

Abstract: The invention concerns a parallelepipedic puzzle, its parts, and method of assembly. The puzzle is formed from a group of smaller parallelepipeds each of which are biorientationally attached to the others using a series of pegs and holes affixed on diagonals of the faces of the smaller parallelepipeds. The cube has external aesthetic parts attached at positions on faces of the smaller cubes to signify the solution orientation which is achieved when the external parts are attached in their normal anatomical positions and no extra apertures remain on any exposed surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a collapsible traffic cone marker characterized by a cylindrical base portion having one open face, an upwardly extending spiral reflective marker capable of collapsing and nesting within the base portion, and a bolt mechanism which can retain the spiral reflector within the casing when actuated or when released can allow the spiral spring to extend upwardly thereby approximating a conventional conical traffic marker.