Abstract: A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

Abstract: A food product can be formed by injecting a first edible material into an assembly and discharging, from the assembly, the first edible material as straight strands substantially parallel to each other and as helical strands that overlap the straight strands. The straight and helical strands of the first edible material form a lattice structure of the food product. A rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the food product are also disclosed, as well as other food products and a rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the other food products.

Abstract: A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

Abstract: A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

Abstract: Meat emulsion products are produced that have a high meat content, for example more than 15 wt %, and also realistic fiber definition, for example linear strands of fiber-like material providing a realistic meat-like appearance. Such meat emulsion products can be made from a viscous dough containing one or more meat meals and humectants, the dough having a low moisture content, such as about 32% or less. Preferably the one or more meat meals are the only meat in the dough. The dough can be emulsified and then set in a high pressure heat exchanger, such as a heat exchanger formed by a first plate and a second plate that form a passage therebetween. The set meat emulsion can be re-sized to form diced chunks of the meat emulsion product. The diced chunks can be cooled and may be blended with a gravy or kibbles or packaged alone.

Abstract: A food product can be formed by injecting a first edible material into an assembly and discharging, from the assembly, the first edible material as straight strands substantially parallel to each other and as helical strands that overlap the straight strands. The straight and helical strands of the first edible material form a lattice structure of the food product. A rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the food product are also disclosed, as well as other food products and a rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the other food products.

Abstract: The invention provides food compositions having a chewy texture and methods for making the chewy food compositions. In one aspect, the food composition includes a moisture content and an Aw sufficient to provide the food composition with a chewy texture. In one aspect, an outer shell having a chewy texture encloses a soft meaty inner filling. The shell can have a moisture content ranging from about 15% to about 24% and an Aw ranging from about 0.7 to about 0.84.

Abstract: The invention provides novel food compositions having a realistic meat-like appearance and texture. The compositions comprise from about 50 to about 98% functional proteins, from about 0.05 to about 2% of one or more cross-linking agents, and from about 2 to about 50% of one or more humectant plasticizers. The compositions are produced by heating a preconditioned mixture of the food components under pressure and then expanding the heated composition to form the food composition.

Abstract: A method for producing an extruded food product comprising from about 25% to about 77% meat and vegetable protein by continuously introducing components of the food product to an extruder wherein the components include meat and vegetable protein; mixing the components to produce a mixture in the extruder; heating the mixture in the extruder to produce the food product; extruding the food product from the extruder through the extruder die; and cooling the food product. The product may further comprise plasticizers and be substantially free of cross-linking compounds. Generally, the product is a meat analog having a fibrous texturized appearance characteristic of meat.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and products wherein a reactive starch constituent, including an edible constituent, is thermally treated to react it, preferably in a dynamic process environment, to produce products ranging from high to quite low densities and from soft to apparently dry textures. The wide range of textures enables the provision of food products such as low calorie, digestible and safe, long duration pet food chews. Cooking is preferably conducted in an extruder, preferably at low moisture or in the total absence of added water. The methods of dynamic cooking reduce cost in a number of ways including decreased process steps, increased throughput, decreased capital expenses, and decreased raw product cost. The invention provides an edible composition produced by pre-activating particles, mixing the particles with solvents providing bonds, and inputting energy into the mixture via an extrusion process to form a firm cohesive material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing plasticised gluten compositions for pet food and pet treat applications, the method comprising the steps of: mixing at least gluten and a plasticiser wherein the mixing equipment is set to a value below 500C and the SME (Specific Mechanical Energy) applied to the mix is less than 600 kj/kg, wherein the gluten content is between 20 and 85% by weight wherein the plasticiser content is less than 40% by weight. The invention also relates to the use of plasticised gluten for the manufacture of a chewy pet food having a high breaking force.

Abstract: A biodegradable material comprising a mixture of at least one polymer with at least one cereal grain flour and, optionally, one or more acceptable additives.

Abstract: A biodegradable material comprising a mixture of at least one polymer with at least one cereal grain flour and, optionally, one or more acceptable additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mine incorporating a pressure plate. Such a mine comprises, inter alia, a pressure plate, a pyrotechnic firing chain and an arming device. The pyrotechnic chain comprises a firing relay rotatably mobile in two substantially perpendicular directions to ensure alignment of the pyrotechnic chain by a double rotation of a support disc about a shaft and a mobile member about an axis. Maneuvering of an arming button ensures rotation of the mobile member; a clockwork timer device ensures rotation of the support disc. A further feature of the invention resides in the reversibility of arming, the opposite maneuver of the arming button ensuring that the mobile elements of the mine return to their intial position. In addition, an anti-blast device is incorporated in the pressure plate. The invention is applicable to anti-tank mines.

Abstract: A cartridge with firing actuation of the payload comprises a case solid with a case bottom which houses a threaded member constituting an ejection nozzle, and in front of the latter a missile provided with a delay ignition chain interrupted at the level of a transversally movable slide which comes into fire transmission position only after a predetermined delay. The cartridge has in addition a striker device actuated on impact so as to ignite the delay firing chain on impact, and a stabilizer device ensuring an axial deceleration permitting the satisfactory operation of the striker on impact.