Abstract: In order to promote longevity and a healthy vitality of a pet, the pet's condition is assessed. For a pet that is overweight, a recommended food regimen is determined that takes into account the pet's lifestyle and pet feeding preferences of the pet's owner. The recommended food regimen reduces the daily calorie intake of the pet without significantly reducing the quantity of food consumed by the pet on a daily basis. The owner may select from a plurality of options for satisfying the food regimen. In this way, the owner can have an enhanced pet feeding experience by being able to provide the pet with a variety of different foods that help the pet to lose weight.

Abstract: A dog chew made of extruded, edible material has a brush-shaped head at one end and a tail at the other. The brush-shaped head and tail are connected to the head by a shaft. The brush-shaped head is provided with segments (for example six segments) with spaces between the segments adapted to be more easily manipulated in a dog's mouth, so that smaller pieces break off when a dog bites and chews the article. Thus, the brush-shaped head may contain individual segments having an elliptical cross section, so that a dog's tooth can work between the individual segments or “bristles.” Elsewhere on the profile of the dog chew, stepped surfaces are avoided in favor of smooth, rounded surfaces, so that the dog chew is more easily handled in the dog's mouth and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: Methods are provided for designing an oral dog product that is safe and functionally effective for a class of dogs. A product is formulated and/or shaped based on biometric analysis of the capabilities of the class of dogs.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming, shaping or embossing chocolate confectionery with a chilled forming member and which does not use a mold.

Abstract: Methods of producing shaped, embossed, or decorated confectionery chocolate products by using chilled forming, shaping, or embossing devices.

Abstract: A color coat is formed an a hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by placing at least one hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, preferably having an uncolored sugar surface, in functional association with an ink-jet head, applying at least a portion of a color coat to the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by ink-jet printing at least one edible ink onto the surface of the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, and drying the color coat. The hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery may be transported and/or stored prior to the application of the color coat.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decorated edible product comprising: a confectionery center, a non-chocolate edible surface, an edible color enhancement coating that is substantially gray colored disposed on at least a portion of the non-chocolate edible surface, and an edible image formed on at least a portion of the color enhancement coating, wherein the color enhancement coating substantially promotes the true colors of the edible image.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: Die fold and sleeve packaging uses a closed shape breakaway portion located in a first region of a die fold wrapper adhesively attached to an overlapping region, such that when the packaging is tampered with, the closed shape breaks away from the first region, providing evidence of tampering and an optional communication feature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an edible substrate such as a chocolate tablet having pellet shaped candy pieces arranged on the surface thereof in a predetermined defined pattern. Also disclosed is a novel chocolate confectionery prepared by the disclosed method and an apparatus for practising the method.

Abstract: A chocolate confectionery is disclosed having on a surface thereof a chocolate base layer, a non-delaminating integral substantially white or light colored edible image-substrate coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the chocolate base layer and a high resolution edible black and/or colored print image disposed on at least a portion of the edible image-substrate coating. A method is also disclosed for preparing the confectionery.

Abstract: Multicolor registered images, formed from at least two component images, are printed on the surfaces of shaped edible pieces. Registration of the component images is maintained by applying the component images to a single image transfer surface from plural image application surfaces. The registered image is applied to a shaped edible piece from the image transfer surface in a single contact step.

Abstract: A bunch wrapped wrapper has a label affixed to it with a die cut portion provided within its perimeter, such that the die cut portion is at least partially torn away from the label when the label is removed to open the package to provide evidence of tampering. The packaging may be used to wrap confectionery pieces, where the edges of the wrapper are gathered at a flat side of the confectionery piece and the label is applied over the gathered edges of the wrapper on the flat side of the piece.

Abstract: Die fold and sleeve packaging uses a closed shape breakaway portion located in a first region of a die fold wrapper adhesively attached to an overlapping region, such that when the packaging is tampered with, the closed shape breaks away from the first region, providing evidence of tampering and an optional communication feature.