Abstract: A poultry leg retainer for use with a poultry carcass having legs with hocks, the retainer having an anchor, a connecting leg, and a bridle portion. The anchor has an anchor beam that extends in a substantially transverse direction of the retainer. First and second outer ends of the anchor beam are pointed and upturned. The connecting leg is coupled on a distal end thereof with a central portion of the transverse anchor beam and extends in a longitudinal direction of the retainer substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction of the anchor beam. A curvilinear member of the bridal portion has a central portion that is coupled with the proximal end of the connecting leg and first and second arcuate portions that define first and second downwardly-facing openings, respectively, configured to engage first and second poultry hocks, respectively. The retainer is also configured to facilitate stacking of multiple retainers.

Abstract: A cooking bag and a method for cooking food using a cooking bag, with the cooking bag having a variable opening vent formed from a thinning of the bag material, perforations through the bag, and/or slits through the bag, and a tear-off strip for browning and removal of the food product from the bag.

Abstract: An irreversible pressure indicator, comprising a sealed vessel forming a fluid chamber and at least one indicating chamber; an indicating material contained within the fluid chamber, said material capable of being acted upon by a pressure force; and a gas contained within the indicating chamber, said gas capable of being displaced or compressed by said indicating material, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: An irreversible pressure indicator, comprising a sealed vessel forming a fluid chamber and at least one indicating chamber; an indicating material contained within the fluid chamber, said material capable of being acted upon by a pressure force; and a gas contained within the indicating chamber, said gas capable of being displaced or compressed by said indicating material, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A device for retaining and trussing the hocks of poultry carcass in juxtaposition and proximal to the carcass during processing, packaging, shipping, storage, and/or cooking. The present invention, including hock retaining members, can be constructed of a unitary, plate-like member of resilient material and can include two openings for fitting about and retaining the hocks, an anchor to be affixed to the carcass, and a connecting means between the hock retaining members and the anchor. The connecting members provide a spring force to keep the hocks and thus the legs juxtaposed to the carcass and each other.

Abstract: A skewer for anchoring at least two pieces of foods having a base member and a stem member that has a penetrating tip and a stabilizing member.

Abstract: A combined animal information tag and system comprising a relatively permanent primary information tag attached directly to the animal to provide primary information about the animal and a removable or replaceable supplemental identification or informational tag attached to the primary information tag to provide additional information about the animal.

Abstract: A supplemental identification or informational indicia means for use with an animal tag so as to provide additional information about the animal.

Abstract: A skewer for anchoring at least two pieces of foods having a base member and a stem member that has a penetrating tip and a stabilizing member.

Abstract: A combined animal information tag and system comprising a relatively permanent primary information tag attached directly to the animal to provide primary information about the animal and a removable or replaceable supplemental identification or informational tag attached to the primary information tag to provide additional information about the animal.

Abstract: A device for retaining and trussing the hocks of poultry carcass in juxtaposition and proximal to the body during processing, packaging, shipping, storage, and/or cooking. The present invention is a unitary, plate-like member of resilient material comprising two generally C-shaped members for fitting about and retaining the hocks. The generally C-shaped members are located proximally to each other and about an axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A supplemental identification or informational indicia means for use with an animal tag so as to provide additional information about the animal.

Abstract: A supplemental identification or informational indicia means for use with an animal tag located about the neck of the animal so as to provide additional information about the animal.

Abstract: A device for retaining and trussing the hocks of poultry carcass in juxtaposition and proximal to the body during processing, packaging, shipping, storage, and/or cooking. The present invention is a unitary, plate-like member of resilient material comprising two generally C-shaped members for fitting about and retaining the hocks. The generally C-shaped members are located proximally to each other and about an axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A flavor tag (10) including a label portion (12), a C-shaped clamp arm (13), a pair of inwardly projecting prongs (14) defining a gap (15), and a narrow slot (17) and inner opening (18). A string or cross strand on a food product is held within opening (18) and is positioned therein via slot (17). Prongs (14) ensure that the clamp portion of flavor tag (10) remains secured once clamped around the hock of a poultry bird.

Abstract: A poultry trussing device (25) is provided having a protective cap (30) which holds together the exposed hocks. The protective cap (30) forms a substantially smooth three-dimensional continuous surface (31-34) which grips and covers the hocks. The cap (30) is connected to an anchor (50) which is removably attached to the side portion of the backbone of the carcass.

Abstract: A retainer for poultry hocks is formed as a ring of a thin unitary plastic material, such as nylon. The ring has hinged flaps extending inward from opposite sides thereof. Poultry hocks inserted through the ring cause the flaps to bend outward and then partially retract backward so that the edges of the flaps engage behind the hock knuckles, holding the thighs close to the body of the fowl. Preferably, either the ring or the flaps are cut away to increase the length of the hinge area. In a modification, legs extending away from the ring define an opening into which the tail of the poultry may be inserted.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a body of eviscerated fowl having first and second legs with respective hocks. The retainer includes a unitary substantially planar thin plastic member which mounts about the hocks. The thin plastic member has an outer portion defining an opening which is elongated and of sufficient size to receive the legs. A plurality of protuberances integral with the outer portion extend inwardly into the opening for engaging the legs so as to hold the legs in a position extending perpendicular to the thin plastic member substantially parallel to each other when the thin plastic member is mounted about the hocks.

Abstract: A fastener for securing meat to a rotisserie spit. The fastener includes a thin elongate strap made from flexible plastic. The thin elongate strap has first and second end portions and a central portion extending between the end portions. The central portion has a large transverse dimension to provide a surface with a significant area for engaging the meat. The end portions cooperatively interengage for quickly securing the end portions together to retain the meat on the rotisserie spit during cooking. The surface with a significant area inhibits the central portion from embedding in the meat during cooking.