Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.

Abstract: A mixing container having an outer vessel with an open mouth and an inner vessel also with an open mouth separately stores two liquids for automatic mixing when the container is opened. Upon assembly, an interior seal between the open mouth of the inner vessel and the bottom of the outer vessel is effected through placement of a closure in the open mouth of the outer vessel. The inner vessel is received by a socket mounted in the closure which provides a resilient bias on the inner vessel to force the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom. A method for filling the mixing container includes a filling of the inner vessel, placement of the outer vessel over the inner vessel, immersing at least the open mouth of the outer vessel into a second liquid and evacuating the outer vessel. The mixing container may then be closed to resiliently bias the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom of the outer vessel to effect the interior seal.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention a mold system and method of use are provided such that aqueous starch-based compositions and baked goods articles that use the conversion of water to steam may be produced using an extruder that allows the venting of such gases and/or steam. The extruder is vented in such a way as to allow steam to escape, but retain the composition until the exit end.

Abstract: A mixing container comprising an outer vessel, one or more inner vessels, and a lid. The outer vessel comprises a bottom, an open mouth and a peripheral sidewall between the open mouth and the bottom. The one or more inner vessels each have an end, an open mouth and a peripheral sidewall between the end and the open mouth. The lid is configured to be removably coupled to the open mouth of the outer vessel and the lid comprises an outer surface and an inner surface coupled to the ends of the one or more inner vessels. A seal is formed between the open mouth of each one of the one or more inner vessels and the bottom of the outer vessel when the lid is coupled to the open mouth of the outer vessel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flexible packaging system comprises a flexible container and an inflatable hollow scaffolding component; wherein the flexible packaging system may be made rigid or semi-rigid by pressurizing the hollow scaffolding component. In some aspects, the pressurizing is accomplished by filling the hollow scaffolding component with gas or foam.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a movable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The movable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.

Abstract: An aircraft for transporting a plurality of cargo containers comprising a forward fairing, an empennage and a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the empennage. The spine is made of a lightweight structure such that the aircraft has insufficient rigidity to withstand bending and tortional loads in flight. A cargo assembly comprising a plurality of modular cargo units is structurally and detachably mounted onto the spine to provide the additional structure to the aircraft required for it to fully withstand the bending and tortional loads of the aircraft in flight. Mounts may be provided to detachably engage the cargo assembly to the spine of the aircraft.

Abstract: One embodiment is a composition comprising water; starch; natural fibrous materials; one or more additives to improve certain properties such as heat transfer, microbial resistance, scavenging activity or shelf life; a mold release agent; flavoring agents; coloring agents; and/or wax emulsions, proteins, or other natural polymeric compounds to adjust the product properties for particular applications.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer, an amide wax and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to increase moisture resistance. In other embodiments, a biodegradable polymer, an amide wax, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to drastically increase moisture resistance. In still other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aircraft for transporting at least one cargo container is disclosed. The aircraft comprises a forward fuselage, an empennage, a beam structure, and mounts to detachably and structurally engage the at least one cargo container with the beam structure. The beam structure is disposed between the forward fuselage and the empennage and the beam structure configured to receive the at least one cargo container. The beam structure and structurally engaged cargo container provide sufficient structural rigidity to support the aircraft in flight.

Abstract: An aircraft for carrying at least one rigid cargo container includes a beam structure with a forward fuselage attached to the forward end of the beam structure and an empennage attached to the rearward end of the beam structure. Wings and engines are mounted relative to the beam structure and a fairing creates a cargo bay able to receive standard sized intermodal cargo containers. Intermodal cargo containers of light construction and rigid structure are positioned within the cargo bay and securely mounted therein. The beam structure is designed to support flight, takeoffs and landings when the aircraft is empty but requires the added strength of the containers securely mounted to the beam structure when the aircraft is loaded. The aircraft is contemplated to be a drone.

Abstract: A mixing container having an outer vessel with an open mouth and an inner vessel also with an open mouth separately stores two liquids for automatic mixing when the container is opened. Upon assembly, an interior seal between the open mouth of the inner vessel and the bottom of the outer vessel is effected through placement of a closure in the open mouth of the outer vessel. The inner vessel is received by a socket mounted in the closure which provides a resilient bias on the inner vessel to force the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom. A method for filling the mixing container includes a filling of the inner vessel, placement of the outer vessel over the inner vessel, immersing at least the open mouth of the outer vessel into a second liquid and evacuating the outer vessel. The mixing container may then be closed to resiliently bias the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom of the outer vessel to effect the interior seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a novel packaging article, which includes a cover and a base having non-edge localized connecting structures, such as, a protrusion and a receptacle cavity. The cover and the base may have different thermal expansion coefficients such that, when subject to heating (e.g., microwave heating) or cooling (e.g., refrigerate storage), the cover and the base do not expand or shrink to the same degree. Furthermore, the cover and/or the base may comprise a biodegradable or edible material, such as, without limitation, starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use in making a starch-based food or beverage container, the formulation allowing the container to be water resistant for a usable amount of time without the need for coatings or similar. An embodiment of the formulation comprising water, native and pregelatinized starch, an insolubilizing compound, proteins or natural polymeric compounds, fibers, a wax emulsion, and a fiber-sizing agent.

Abstract: A fuel-efficient method for transporting cargo to a desired location via an aircraft. The method comprises determining the weight of the cargo capable of being transported in a single container, selecting a container having a sufficient weight capacity to support the cargo based on the determined weight of the cargo, and filling the selected container with the cargo. The filled container is loaded onto a location on the aircraft beam relative to the aircraft's CG based on the weight of the filled container to stay within the acceptable CG range for the aircraft. The filled containers having the greater weight are positioned on the beam at or adjacent to the aircraft's CG and the filled containers having lower weight are positioned farther from the aircraft's CG. The containers provide strength and rigidity to the beam to sustain the bending and torsional loads in flight.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an edible non-human animal container or pet food container comprising water, pregelatinized and native starch, a cross-linker natural fibers, a wax emulsion, a mold release agent, a flavoring agent, and a coloring agent, food grade materials, and wherein the container is of a shape that is attractive to non-human animals.

Abstract: An aircraft for carrying at least one rigid cargo container includes a beam structure with a forward fuselage attached to the forward end of the beam structure and an empennage attached to the rearward end of the beam structure. Wings and engines are mounted relative to the beam structure and a fairing creates a cargo bay able to receive standard sized intermodal cargo containers. Intermodal cargo containers of light construction and rigid structure are positioned within the cargo bay and securely mounted therein. The beam structure is designed to support flight, takeoffs and landings when the aircraft is empty but requires the added strength of the containers securely mounted to the beam structure when the aircraft is loaded. The aircraft is contemplated to be a drone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.