Abstract: Port occupancy detection for connector panels is provided. In one embodiment, a connector panel comprises: a communications unit communicatively coupled to a network; and at least one modular port adapter assembly comprising: a plurality of communications couplers; and a plurality of port occupancy sensors each coupled to a sensor circuit. Each of the port occupancy sensors are configured to sense when the couplers are occupied. The panel communications unit obtains from the sensor circuit which of the couplers are occupied. The panel communications unit communicates port occupancy information to a gateway indicating circuit which of the couplers are occupied. A chassis including sidewalls extends between a front and a rear to define an interior, and including guides on the sidewalls. A plurality of blades mounted to the guides of the chassis, each blade including a midplane bus assembly configured to communicatively couple the sensor circuit to the panel communication unit.

Abstract: A pet treat is disclosed, which includes a rotatable, lickable spherical portion; and a support having an internal cavity shaped to conform to the outside of the spherical portion, and wherein the spherical portion is freely rotatable within the support.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of treating whole, cut, or other processed botanical ingredient(s) in a manner that reduces the load of viable food-contaminating organisms (human or other animal pathogens and food spoilage organisms), preferably without substantially altering one or more of the organoleptic properties of the ingredient(s). The method includes subjecting a botanical foodstuff to a high pressure processing (HPP) treatment and to aseptically sealing the foodstuff within a package that contains a microbistat. Such treatments improve the storage stability of the foodstuff and preferably do not significantly alter one or more organoleptic properties of the botanical ingredient(s). Packaged foodstuffs treated as described herein exhibit beneficial properties, such as retention of taste, appearance, and texture and extended shelf life, relative to non-treated foodstuffs.

Abstract: A dog chew treat is fashioned from a composition comprising sugar, fiber, and flour. Preferably, the sugar is dextrose, and the flour is pre-gelatinized wheat flour. The composition may be molded into the shape of a bone, or other treat. A palatant coating may be applied to the molded product. Colors may be added for different aesthetics such as a marbling pattern. Functional ingredients may be used to provide health benefits.

Abstract: A dog chew treat is fashioned from a composition comprising sugar, fiber, and flour. Preferably, the sugar is dextrose, and the flour is pre-gelatinized wheat flour. The composition may be molded into the shape of a bone, or other treat. A palatant coating may be applied to the molded product. Colors may be added for different aesthetics such as a marbling pattern. Functional ingredients may be used to provide health benefits.

Abstract: A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.

Abstract: A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.

Abstract: An edible product includes an edible outer cover component in which is located an inner edible component. A system for producing the edible product includes an arrangement for delivering the edible product in the form of an elongated rope-type product to a crimping apparatus. The crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope-like product for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: A dog chew treat is fashioned from a composition comprising sugar, fiber, and flour. Preferably, the sugar is dextrose, and the flour is pre-gelatinized wheat flour. The composition may be molded into the shape of a bone, or other treat. A palatant coating may be applied to the molded product. Colors may be added for different aesthetics such as a marbling pattern. Functional ingredients may be used to provide health benefits.

Abstract: An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairball treatment for cats and the outer component is a dough-like material. A system for producing the edible product includes a first material source for supplying a first edible material to form the inner component of the edible product, a second material source for supplying a second edible material to form the outer component of the edible product, and an extruder for continuously coextruding the first edible material and the edible second material to produce an elongated rope of edible product. A crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope extruded from the extruder for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products.

Abstract: An edible product includes an edible outer cover component in which is located an inner edible component. A system for producing the edible product includes an arrangement for delivering the edible product in the form of an elongated rope-type product to a crimping apparatus. The crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope-like product for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products.

Abstract: An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairball treatment for cats and the outer component is a dough-like material. A system for producing the edible product includes a first material source for supplying a first edible material to form the inner component of the edible product, a second material source for supplying a second edible material to form the outer component of the edible product, and an extruder for continuously coextruding the first edible material and the edible second material to produce an elongated rope of edible product. A crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope extruded from the extruder for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products.

Abstract: An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairball treatment for cats and the outer component is a dough-like material. A system for producing the edible product includes a first material source for supplying a first edible material to form the inner component of the edible product, a second material source for supplying a second edible material to form the outer component of the edible product, and an extruder for continuously coextruding the first edible material and the edible second material to produce an elongated rope of edible product. A crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope extruded from the extruder for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products.