Abstract: A sealed container for use in cooking which has a heat-sealed portion partially opened when there is an increase in the internal pressure during heat cooking of various kinds of food including frozen foods contained therein so as to prevent rupture or deformation of the container, as well as the possibility of the contents boiling over as a result of rupture of the container. The sealed container of the present invention includes a container body provided at the opening thereof with a flange, and a lid, and a heat-sealed strip capable of peeling off is formed on the flange portion, at least one portion of the heat-sealed strip being formed in such a manner as to project toward the interior of the container, and the outer edge of the heat-sealed strip at that position and an innermost point of the outer edge of the heat-sealed strip being disposed on the inner side of a line connection the starting point of the projecting portion located on the inner edge of the container.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for improving the solubility of gelling agents hardly soluble in water such as agar-agar, gelatin and carrageenan. Said method includes the step of contacting said gelling agent with a non-equilibrium plasma formed by applying a high frequency wave to a low pressure gaseous atmosphere, such as air, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and thereby obtaining a gelling agent readily soluble in water.