Abstract: The present invention provides a method of constructing an arts and crafts project using a water soluble composition of low density to make a plurality of child-safe articles. The invention is used for forming toys or construction materials for use in playing a game, constructing arts and crafts projects, or used as building blocks. The composition of the articles used in the invented method preferably comprises a matrix principally made from a food starch supplemented with polyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Alternatively, the composition used in the invented method may also comprise a mixture of a grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water. The composition can be extruded in a sheet-like form, with the sheets being cut and bonded together through the application of water to create an art project. By applying water or moisture, the pieces formed by the invented method can be easily bonded together to create the desired article.

Abstract: An oral medication delivery system and method for pharmaceutically active agents having local and/or systemic effect is provided. The system provides three embodiments of containers in which medication is stably stored, either in liquid suspension or in dry powder form with a delivery liquid, until dispensed for use by a patient. The medication is mixed as required and frozen in the storage container until hard, when it is administered to the patient in the form of a frozen popsicle. One embodiment of the system includes a flexible plastic container which contains the pharmaceutically active agent mixed with a delivery liquid. In other embodiments the medication in powder form and a delivery liquid are stored in a chambered container separated by a rupturable membrane which is ruptured to mix the container contents prior to freezing.

Abstract: A dietary product includes granules having an outer layer of a viscous aggregate-stable emulsion, with the following ratio of components forming the granules, % by mass:______________________________________ egg white 13-30 egg yolk 45-71 oil material 9.0-30 food colorant 1.0-3.0. ______________________________________heating of the egg white to a temperature not below 35.degree. C., introducing egg yolk, oil material and fool colorant in the indicated ratios until formation of a viscous emulsion which is fed dropwise into food vegetable oil heated to a temperature of 80.degree.-95.degree. C.

Abstract: A container (10) includes a hoop (14) defining first and second open faces (16, 18). A flexible membrane (20) is secured tautly to the hoop to cover the first open face, whereby the flexible membrane serves as a percussion drum head and the hoop and flexible membrane cooperatively define a cavity (22) for receiving articles (24). A removable lid (26) selectively covers the second open face.

Abstract: A food product which is formed from a breast cut of poultry or other animal muscle material having a core area and a plurality of strips of breast formed integrally with the core area and extending outwardly therefrom in a random manner. The food product is formed by cutting the first and second end surfaces along first and second cut lines, respectively, extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the food product, a distance which establishes an uncut core area between the first and second end surfaces. The food product is then cut from the upper surface to the lower surface along a plurality of spaced generally parallel third and fourth cut lines extending between the first end surface and the core area and the second end surface of the core area, respectively, such that a plurality of strips of material extend outwardly from the core area in a random manner toward the first and second end surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for serving confectioneries comprises a first base support member having a second support member positioned thereon. The second support member is smaller in plan than the base support member thereby defining a peripheral ledge or tier. Cupcakes or other similar confectioneries may be placed on the ledge and on top of the second support member and an illusion of a traditional multi-tiered birthday cake is created. Yet, each cupcake or confectionery is available to be readily removed by children of the earliest ages and consumed without the need for plates or utensils.

Abstract: Simulated egg yolk in the nature of a thermoreversible, preferably homogenized, gel which is non-flowable at room temperature is extruded into disk-like shapes. A restrictive barrier is formed around the egg yolk disks by a reverse method of first contacting the non-flowable yolk with a setting agent such as calcium chloride in water and then with a film former such as sodium alginate in water. The resulting simulated egg yolk looks and behaves like natural egg yolk and may be incorporated into natural egg white while preserving a separate phase, so one can make "sunny side up" and "easy over" eggs.

Abstract: The invention presents a low calorie food material in dry granular state containing a starch such as processed starch, and a dextrine, a konjak mannan or other gelling agent, and a cellulose powder or other white turbid matter.The food material becomes, when water is added, a rice-like food possessing the same appearance and properties as cooked rice.

Abstract: A fat substitute is disclosed which comprises water-dispersible macrocolloid particles composed of starch materials selected from the group consisting of taro, Saponaria vaccaria, Amaranthus retroflexus, Maranta arundinacea, Wheat B and buckwheat, which particles have a substantially spheroidal shape and a particle size distribution effective to impart the substantially smooth organoleptic character of an oil-and-water emulsion.

Abstract: A formulation and process is provided for the production of firm, irreversible protein-containing elastic gels which can be used in the production of food analogs including kamaboko or seafood analogs. In this process a mixture of calcium caseinate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and either a carrageenan or a combination of lactalbumin and egg albumin, are blended in an aqueous mixture to form a homogeneous blend. The blend, upon heating to form a uniformly viscous solution, is subsequently cooled to form an edible gel.

Abstract: Methods of making a frozen confection with a whistle element encased therein are disclosed. In a first embodiment a one-piece first mold with a central through-passage containing a shoulder is used to make a first frozen part with support sticks therein. A complementarily shaped second mold is used to make a second frozen part with a matching through-passage. A whistle element is inserted into the through-passage of the first part until the element abuts the shoulder and then the second part is inserted, pressure is applied, and the two parts are frozen together. A second embodiment employs a two-piece first mold and alternative ways of securing the whistle element in the finished frozen confection are disclosed. In a third embodiment for soft frozen products such as ice-cream, an ingredient is frozen in a mold and a tubular tool is used to remove some of the frozen ingredient to create a central through-passage with a shoulder into which the whistle element is inserted and retained with a frozen plug.

Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a self-supporting bowl made from edible material having a bottom, a top and a side providing in combination a container for holding animal food, the bowl being of selected size and configuration to contain a desired quantity of food depending on animal size and dietary requirements. There is further provided an animal feeding system and related method wherein an edible bowl is provided in combination with a water bowl to provide a self-contained meal package for an animal.

Abstract: A toy for making simulated french fried potatoes includes a base supporting a generally rectangular housing within which a pair of cutter rollers are rotatably supported at the upper end thereof. A crank arm and gear coupling drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the cutter assembly to rotate the cutter rollers as the crank is turned. An upwardly extending cover member positioned above the cutter assembly includes a feed slot and guide passage which directs a bread slice deposited within the feed slot to the interface of the cutting rollers. As the crank is turned the bread slice is drawn through the cutter rollers and sliced into a plurality of elongated segments having an appearance similar to french fried potatoes. The bread segments are then collected within a collecting receptacle and a cooked appearance is imparted thereto by sprinkling coloring and flavoring agents such as cinnamon and sugar upon the bread segments.

Abstract: A bone-in ham steak is made by separating the muscle, fat, and femur bones from green hams and curing the muscle in a conventional manner. The femur bones are cut into linear segments and aligned lengthwise on a skewer and then placed in a casing. The aggregated and cured ham muscle and fat are tumbled and massaged to extract protein and placed into said casing so as to concentrically surround the bone segments. The product is then cooked and sliced into ham steaks of uniform size and weight with a central bone piece.

Abstract: A simulated hard cooked egg-yolk composition, shaped egg-yolks, eggs comprising such egg-yolks, as well as methods for making the same, by utilizing colored pureed egg-white, of preferably increased solids, along with a grain preserving agent. This invention also encompasses food products containing one or more of the above simulated entities.

Abstract: The invention is a method for effectively transferring finely detailed images in edible pastes onto pastry shapes for decorative pastry dough that may be shaped into decorative pieces for various effects. The method comprises a first step of transferring the fine pattern images onto silk screen and then using silk screening methods to impart a paste onto specially developed, reusable, transfer sheets. Batter is then placed across the transfer sheets and then baked at approximately 350.degree.-450.degree. F. The images in edible paste are effectively transferred to the pastry without sticking to the sheet. The sheets are made of tetrafluorethylene coated fabric sheet and may be reused.

Abstract: A chewing gum and confection composition is disclosed which is pourable and includes between about 30 and about 90 percent particles of chewing gun having an average particle size of between about 0.5 and 6 mm. The pourable composition also includes between about 10 and about 70 percent dry, flee-flowing, sweet confection. Preferably, the chewing gum particles are bits of bubble gum and the sweet confection is powdered dextrose. A method of making this pourable composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulated toy hamburger maker includes a mixer grinder, a simulated cooking station, a condiment dispenser apparatus and a hamburger bun storage and dispenser. A mixture of edible food materials such as ground cereal and peanut butter together with edible colorant materials such as chocolate powder is combined and mixed within the grinder mixer station to form a simulated hamburger mixture. The simulated cooking station includes a hamburger press which conforms a quantity of the hamburger mixture into a realistic hamburger patty. The simulated hamburger patty is then placed upon simulated hamburger buns such as conventional vanilla wafer cookies or the like and positioned within a condiment dispensing station. Condiment dispensers are provided which receive a quantity of colored edible material such as cake frosting or the like to extrude upon the simulated hamburger patties.

Abstract: A handle for a confectionery product that envelopes a housing detachably engaged to a support. The housing receives a novelty item. After the confectionery product is eaten the novelty item is released by breaking the support from the housing.

Abstract: A cereal hydrolysate containing composition which is derived from the amylase hydrolysis of cereal in combination with a hydrocolloid, preferably carrageenan or a blend of xanthan gum and locust bean gum, can be effectively used as a fat mimic in preparing low fat comminuted meat products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cotton candy product wrapped about cotton candy stick and held by a unique cotton candy holding device. The device includes a bowl-shaped receptacle equipped with a brim that defines an open end of the receptacle, a supportive lid fitted with a stick engaging socket on one side of the lid and a receptacle engaging rim section on an opposite lid side. The device is used by wrapping cotton candy around the stick and securing the stick onto the stick engaging socket and then affixing the brim of the receptacle onto the rim section of the lid. If desired, a plastic wrap may then be used as overwrap for the cotton candy product.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a confection filled with gasified caramel in which the initial caramel mass is at a temperature between about 90 and 150.degree. C. and at a degree of moisture below equilibrium moisture of the resulting gasified caramel. After adding essences and/or colorants and depositing the mass in molds (14, 15), cavities of a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml are punched (17) in the two parts of the caramel mass disposed in the molds. The molds are then cooled to a temperature below 50.degree. C., with chips of gasified caramel alone or mixed with chewing gum being placed into the cavities formed in the molds. Before the two complementary molds are joined (20), an adhesive (19) is applied to the parts of the caramel mass disposed in the molds. The caramel (23) is then removed (22) from the molds. The caramel (23) which has been filled with gasified caramel either alone or mixed with chewing gum, may be provided with a stick (24).

Abstract: A thigh cut of poultry prepared by a method of dressing a thigh cut of poultry having an upper surface, a lower surface and an elongated thigh bone having an axis. The thigh bone is positioned between the upper and lower surfaces. A first cut is made generally perpendicular to the upper surface along a first cut line extending generally parallel to the axis of the bone to remove a first side portion of the thigh cut. The first cut line is spaced from a first side of a bone by a first predetermined distance. A second cut is made generally perpendicular to the upper surface along a second cut line extending generally parallel to the axis of the bone to remove a second side portion of the thigh cut. The second cut line is spaced from a second side of the bone by a second predetermined distance such that the remaining portion of the thigh cut is generally in the form of a parallelogram in cross section.

Abstract: A product of fish meat paste simulating natural crab leg meat, made by a method which includes a first step of cutting a pair of stripes of heat-coagulated fish meat paste into two groups of noodle-like strings as each of the stripes is longitudinally conveyed by a conveyor, and putting the strings of each of the two groups together into a continuous, elongated bundle generally rectangular in transverse section; a second step of successively cutting each of the bundles aslant relative to the longitudinal direction thereof as each of the bundles is individually conveyed so as to produce a plurality of block components of generally parallelepipedic shape each having an acute angle in the forward end thereof; a third step of conveying the block components side by side in pairs and putting each pair of block components together into a single block shaped like the nocked end portion of an arrow, with one cut surface of one block component in each pair contacting the opposite cut surface of the other block componen

Abstract: A stick candy package includes a transparent plastic clip having stiff arms embracing the candy with a tag and bow being attached to the attachment clip member for ornamental effect. In a first embodiment the tag and bow are attached by adhesive means to the attachment clip while in the second embodiment they are attached to the attachment clip by a twist-tie member embracing a length of ornamental ribbon arranged to have the appearance of a bow but which has not been pre-tied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fat substitute for meat food, which comprises a gelling material comprising a whey protein concentrate and a casein protein, the amount of the whey protein concentrate being from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the weight of the gelling material and the amount of the casein protein being from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the weight of the gelling material.

Abstract: A strawberry rose comprised of a stalk portion and a head portion combined to appear to be a long-stemmed rose bud is disclosed. The stalk portion includes a rigid elongate skewer wrapped with a bark-colored paper strip and having a sharpened end. A sprig of artificial leaves protrudes from the stalk. The head portion includes a strawberry covered with a hardened meltable confection, which may have various edible enhancements adhered thereto. A plurality of such strawberry roses are bound into an arrangement along with artificial fern fronds and baby's breath, all wrapped loosely in tissue paper and fitted into a display box having a glassine window in its cover.

Abstract: A simulated egg, preferably cholesterol-free, capable of having the yolk and liquid egg-white together but in separate phases, so that upon cooking, the simulated egg looks and behaves like a natural egg. Migration of ingredients from the egg-yolk to the egg-white and vice versa is minimized. The egg is preferably packaged in individual portions in flexible inexpensive pouches.

Abstract: The process for producing a flake style food of the present invention comprises adding a dehydrated vegetable to a seasoning solution, emulsifying the obtained mixture by stirring at a high speed of from 1,000 to 10,000 rpm within a temperature zone of from 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. for 1 to 10 minutes and mixing the emulsified product thus obtained with fish meat, poultry meat, cattle meat or artificial meat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a food material, the process comprising the steps of: concurrently dehydrating and shaping a hydrated fibrous material (HFM) by compression which material is prepared from soybean protein; and heating the obtained shaped product in a compressed state.

Abstract: Meat products which, before and after preparation, have the aroma, appearance, and taste of meat products of a comparable character but contain substantially less cholesterol and/or saturated fats and typically retain their juiciness and taste upon standing after being cooked for a longer time than conventional meat products do. The reduced cholesterol/saturated fat content is realized by in part substituting for natural adipose an artificial adipose based on an emulsion of: (a) blood plasma, preferably from the same specie of animal as the meat from which the product is made, and (b) cholesterol-free or low cholesterol fats and oils which may also be free of saturation or have a low degree of saturation. Various agents can be employed to convert the blood plasma/lipid emulsion to a gelatinous form in which it closely resembles a natural adipose; and the adipose can be formulated so that it will become colorless as the product is prepared by cooking like natural adipose does.

Abstract: A denatured whey-protein-containing solution which can be converted to an irreversible gel without heating characterized by the fact that said whey-protein-containing solution is produced by diluting a solution of non-denatured whey protein to an extent that coagulation of the whey protein does not occur when the solution is heated at a temperature higher than that required to denature the whey protein, and then heating this diluted solution to a temperature higher than that required for denaturing the whey protein, to produce a soluble association of denatured whey protein molecules without causing coagulation, which solution undergoes irreversible gelation simply by the addition thereto of monovalent or divalent salt-derived ions to form a transparent, non-heat-coagulated gel product which is highly resistant to water dissociation and stable to heat and therefore can be used extensively in raw, frozen, or heat-processed foods or other foodstuffs.

Abstract: Reduced calorie flavored popcorns are provided having flavored toppings containing significant quantities of polydextrose, together with water and one or more flavoring and sweetening agent(s), e.g., caramel, fruit flavorings or cinnamon, and a minor amount of sodium bicarbonate. Finished popcorns in accordance with the invention have a calorie content of up to about 100 calories per ounce, and in particularly preferred forms a calorie content of from about 60-65 calories per ounce, representing a 50% calorie reduction as compared with conventional products. Where air-popped popcorn is used, the calorie content is up to about 85 calories per ounce.

Abstract: Meat products which, before and after preparation, have the aroma, appearance, and taste of meat products of a comparable character but contain substantially less cholesterol and/or saturated fats and typically retain their juiciness and taste upon standing after being cooked for a longer time than conventional meat products do. The reduced cholesterol/saturated fat content is realized by in part substituting for natural adipose an artificial adipose based on an emulsion of: (a) blood plasma, preferably from the same specie of animal as the meat from which the product is made, and (b) cholesterol-free or low cholesterol fats and oils which may also be free of saturation or have a low degree of saturation. Various agents can be employed to convert the blood plasma/lipid emulsion to a gelatinous form in which it closely resembles a natural adipose; and the adipose can be formulated so that it will become colorless as the product is prepared by cooking like natural adipose does.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for producing a cooked food analog from soybeans. The process comprises obtaining soybean milk and adding a coagulant to the soybean milk, preferably while the soybean milk is at a temperature in the range of about 70.degree.-90.degree. C. (158.degree.-194.degree. F.) to form a mixture of soybean curds and whey. The mixture of curds and whey is broken to obtain curd differentiation. The curds are then cooked, at a temperature and for a time effective to form small pieces of curd. The supernatant liquid is separated from the curds, and the curds are rapidly cooled. The present invention provides a process for obtaining food analogs having a wide range of organoleptic properties, from a scrambled egg analog, wherein the curds are soft and relatively large, to a cooked meat analog, wherein the curds are harder and relatively small.

Abstract: A whole egg analogue is disclosed wherein a yolk analogue is treated to form a membrane on its outer surface. The yolk analogue with its attendant membrane is combined with natural egg white, treated egg white or an egg white analogue to form the whole egg analogue.

Abstract: A simulated egg, preferably cholesterol-free, capable of having the yolk and liquid egg-white together but in separate phases, so that upon cooking, the simulated egg looks and behaves like a natural egg. Migration of ingredients from the egg-yolk to the egg-white and vice versa is minimized. The egg is preferably packaged in individual portions in flexible inexpensive pouches.

Abstract: Small cookies, known as cookie bits, are combined with other ingredients, especially chocolate, as the basis of finished candy products or other edible cookie bits products. The product entails using a tiny cookie as an ingredient in chocolate bars or clusters, ice cream items, or in candy items, as a substitute for fruits and nuts, in the fields of ice cream, candy and cereal, and as a replacement for nuts, fruits and chocolate chips. The cookie bit may be the center of panned items, usually elliptical or spherical in shape, in which the cookie bit per se is covered with chocolate and an outer coating of candy glaze or sugar coating and polish. The present cookie bit product features the cookie bit itself as an ideal ingredient for a candy bar producer to mold into the bar or cluster in place of, or along with, nuts and fruits.

Abstract: Gel-like food article that has satisfactory functional characteristics such as high heat and acid resistance and yet which is safe to eat, and a process for producing this gel-like food article by crosslinking primary amino groups in food ingredients such as chitosan and proteins with an iridoid compound, which crosslinking may be combined with other methods of gelation.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a simulated fruit piece suitable for combination with a dry food product having a moisture typically of from 2-3% and wherein the fruit piece maintains its softness and the food product maintains its crispness after various storage conditions, said fruit consisting of fruit solids, a fruit concentrate, a thickening agent, edible food grade acid, sweeteners, coloring, and glycerol. The glycerol/sweetener combination functions as a humectant system which produces a fruit product with an Aw of between about 0.2 to 0.50. A process for preparing said fruit piece is also disclosed wherein a solid phase comprising a fruit solids is combined with a hot liquid phase and the mixture extruded into fruit ropes or strands and cut into the desired shape or form.

Abstract: A simulated egg, preferably cholesterol-free, capable of having the yolk and liquid egg-white together but in separate phases, so that upon cooking, the simulated egg looks and behaves like a natural egg.

Abstract: A hot dog or other elongated food product having generally longitudinal slits extending along the entire length of the hot dog. The slits are preferably spaced around the circumference and extend radially from the outer surface toward, but not completely to, the center of the hot dog, thereby forming elongated segments, each having a cross section in the shape of a sector of a circle truncated at its apex. The unslit central core comprises a common link between the truncated sector shaped segments, which initially holds the segments in a generally unitized hot dog-shaped construction, any section of which readily fragments into small sized segments when severed from the whole by a bite which extends through the central core.

Abstract: A sucker is disclosed in which the edible portion cannot be separated from the stick. A support member for the edible is formed from a semi-rigid plastic material, including a loop-shaped handle portion, a body portion for the edible, and a coupling for fixably connecting the handle portion to the body portion. The body portion can be shaped for modeling a prototype such as a cartoon character or a vehicle. The body portion can be loop-shaped for enhancing the security of the edible, and the loop configuration can also simulate the object. The body and handle portions are formed with a lobed cross-sectional shape simulative of a rope for enhancing support of the edible material, and for a desired combination of strength, flexibility, and ease of gripping the handle portion. The edible material can include a first edible layer shaped for simulating a prototype object, and a second edible layer that is at least semi-transparent for permitting view of the first edible layer.

Abstract: A support stick for an erodible material which provides increased aesthetic and play value is provided. The support stick includes a handle and a support portion. The support stick is embedded within the erodible material and supports the material thereon so that the support portion is embedded in the erodible material and the handle extends from the erodible material. The support stick is formed to have the outline of athletic equipment.

Abstract: A method of using a silk screen to form thin, flat, flexible, free standing base shapes or transfers directly on release paper in their final form from fluid base shape material, all in one step. After drying, pictorial images are then silk screened onto the base shapes to produce the final edible image for decorating foodstuffs. Recipies for preparing the fluid base shape material and a novel machine for peeling the base shapes from the release paper with a spring steel blade are also disclosed.

Abstract: A texturally contrasted frozen aerated confection comprising ice confection or mousse-like material in combination with an aerated fat-based glaze.

Abstract: A reconstituted meat product comprising a plurality of meat pieces agglomerated together, wherein the meat pieces are of an elongate shape and are arranged in a substantially helical array through the meat product. The helical arrangement of the meat pieces aids in binding the meat pieces and gives to the reconstituted product a natural appearance.

Abstract: An edible body composed of a cellulose having a crystal form of cellulose II, which is regenerated from an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, and at least one guest component selected from polypeptides and edible polysaccharides. The cellulose II or a homogeneous mixture of the cellulose II and polysaccharide is present in the form of a sea component or a continuous phase in an amount of at least 10% based on the edible body.

Abstract: A swinging bob toy having bobs which are fastened to, or free to slide along a string. The design of the toy provides that: the string will have a lessened tendency to become tangled during operation, the toy will have a smoothness of motion, and be capable of new tricks and maneuvers, the toy will not become tangled during transportation thereof and will be safer to use. The bobs can be made of an edible material or chewing gum. A tubular storage case can be used to store the bob toy.