Abstract: A cooking apparatus facilitates cooking with a heated/boiling liquid of a food item by utilizing a cooking bag, a cooking tray, and/or a cooking film. A food product that utilizes the cooking apparatus and food items produces cooked food that may be plateable.

Abstract: An ink-based image is releasably printed onto a substrate for transferring to the skin. Flavoring is incorporated with the ink-based image, yielding a selected scent and taste. Unlike generally known candy flavored appliques, the flavored ink tattoo has a long shelf life, achieves an intense flavor, and has a wide range of taste selections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-colored baked cake cone typically for holding ice cream or other confection novelties. This cone is made of a dough bi-layer that includes at least a first layer of a conventional cake dough that contains sugar and a second layer of a modified cake dough that imparts at least one color other than brown to the cone after baking. The cone is typically associated with a sleeve that is at least partially transparent to display the multicolor cone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular cellulose-based food casing, the internal and/or external face of which is provided with an impregnation or coating made of blood albumin and/or a mixture of collagen fibers and collagen hydrolysate that improves cling of the casing to the food or renders the casing virtually resistant against cellulytic enzymes. The invention also relates to a method for producing such impregnated food casing and the use thereof as an artificial sausage casing.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for making conical tortilla shells involves a pair of conical molds with a plurality of apertures therethrough. The first mold has a closed apex at one end, and a widened end at the other, and a handle mounted to the inside at the opening of the first mold, and the second mold has a narrow open apex at one end, and a widened end at the other end, with a handle mounted to the exterior at the opening, to allow the handles to be grasped by a user. In the method, a tortilla is wrapped in a conical shape around the first mold and the molds are put together with the tortilla between them, and with the handles placed together to that the molds and tortilla between them may be manipulated as a unit by a user in cooking the tortilla.

Abstract: A stable, self-standing, taco shell is provided. The taco shell has a first sidewall element, a second sidewall element, a substantially flat base element of defined width, a first curved element interconnecting the first sidewall element to the flat base element; and a second curved element interconnecting the second sidewall element to the flat base element. Methods of fabrication and use are disclosed.

Abstract: A wafer half-shell is described which has a mouth delimited by at least one annular surface and one or more side walls, in which the mouth surface and the surfaces of the side wall have a substantially smooth surface finish. Preferably the outer surface of the side wall has a porous, continuous or discontinuous region which extends peripherally and is receded relative to the mouth surface of the half-shell, resulting from the cutting of a radial wall connected to the side wall of the half-shell in a receded position relative to the annular surface defining the mouth of the half-shell. The annular coupling surfaces of the complementary half-shells have preferably centering means which are complementary each other. The half-shell is useful particularly for the production of a food product comprising a pair of half-shells fitted together mouth to mouth and including a mass of liquid filling.

Abstract: The packaging system includes a first food product sealed within an inner wrapper, a second food product positioned within a tray and spacing the first food product from the tray, and an outer wrapper sealing the first food product, sealed within the inner wrapper, the second food product and the tray therein. A shield is disposed on the tray and is in contact with more than one surface of the second food product. Prior to microwave heating, the inner and outer wrapper are removed.

Abstract: A shaped food product, such as a sausage, having a central opening into which at least one condiment may be placed prior to consumption and methods of preparing, eating, and manufacturing such a food product. The condiment may be placed after the cooking of the food product, prior to the cooking of the food product, or as part of the cooking of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of producing a porous bonded fibrous sheet material comprising: (i) treating a porous fibrous substrate which is comprised of cellulosic fibers and which has a moisture content of less than 10% by weight with a gum and a cross-linkable wet strength resin both dissolved in water; (ii) removing excess water; and (iii) effecting cross-linking of the resin.

Abstract: The present process relates to a formulation for a food product and preparation of a pre-formed filling unit for the provision of a consumable food product containing eggs, which may be refrigerated and/or frozen for future heating within a microwave oven for consumption by an individual. The process involves the initial step of acquisition of liquid eggs which may be scrambled. The liquid eggs are cooked whereupon the cooked liquid eggs are combined with other ingredients. The temperature of the combined ingredients is regulated and/or controlled during processing. The combined and mixed food product may then be inserted into a mold to provide a desired shape. After cooking the consumable food product may be separated from the mold whereupon the consumable food article may be refrigerated and/or frozen for future reheating as a portion of a breakfast or other consumable food article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confectionery product that includes at least one functional ingredient that has a casing and a filling enclosed within the casing. The filling includes at least one confectionery material having properties that confer to the filling a perceivable effect when the filling is released in the mouth. The casing is capable of releasing the filling when contacting saliva in the mouth. This liberates the filling out of the casing while allowing the casing to be left substantially as an empty shell before it entirely dissolves in the mouth.

Abstract: A food product that includes a casing of a gelatin-free, water-based, set hydrocolloid gel that forms an enclosure, and at least one solid, liquid, soft or particulate center enclosed by the casing. The casing is made of a carageenan, alginate, agarose, gellan gum, pectin or cellulose compound, and the food product can withstand changes in temperature. Also, a process for the production of such a food product, wherein a liquid hydrocolloid mass is partially set and a hard, liquid, soft or particulate center is injected therein with the final completing or the setting of the hydrocolloid mass providing the encapsulation of the center.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a food product, a food product produced thereby and a plant for production of the food product. The food product may have a generally truncated cone shape which allows the product to be stood on its base. The baking mixture is inserted into mould cavities of a tray and fitting a second tray with male formers corresponding to the mould cavities into the first tray prior to baking. The trays may pass through the oven on an endless conveyor as part of a plant which includes a filling station, for filling the baked product with sweet or savoury fillings, and a freezing station. The food product is baked with a high liquid content to allow for the formation of a thin, tough impervious layer of gelatinised starch skin to form on the product surfaces.

Abstract: A food casing having an internal surface coating of a dried aqueous emulsion including at least one polyglyceryl ester. The polyglyceryl ester in the coating covers the internal surface of the food casing in an amount of from about 200 to about 1200 mg per square meter. The polyglyceryl ester may be almost any polyglyceryl ester having from about 1 to about 4 ester groups formed with carboxylic acids having from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms. The polyglyceryl ester may for example be selected from triglyceryltetraoleate and triglycerylmonooleate. The food casing has superior meat release characteristics in certain applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for continuous casting of edible cellulose-containing film sheets having unique physical characteristics. The cellulose film sheets have diverse applications in the processed food industry.

Abstract: The invention relates to edible molded bodies in the form of a flat or tubular film based on plastifiable biopolymers, the cleavage products or derivatives thereof and/or synthetic polymers from natural monomers, characterized in that they are produced according to a method comprising the following steps: a) the biopolymers, cleavage products or derivatives thereof and/or synthetic polymers are mixed with at least one edible plasticizer, at least one lubricating agent and at least one cross-linking agent, b) the mixture thus obtained is melted into a thermoplastic material, c) said material is extruded and d) the product obtained by extrusion is calendered and/or stretched or blown and deformed into the edible molded body. The molded bodies cited in the invention are suitable for use as food wrappers for sausages and boiled ham, and are particularly suitable for use as seamless sausage casings.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced sausage casing having a non-stick coating on its interior surface is described. In particular, the coating on the interior surface of the sausage casing includes the following four active components: a chromium-fatty acid complex; a fatty diketene; a polyamine-polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin; and a cellulose ether. The weight ratio of (i) the chromium-fatty complex and diketene to (ii) the polyamine-polyamide-epichorohydrin resin is greater than or equal to 5:1. The sausage casing may be used to contain scalded-meat emulsion sausage, raw sausage and cooked ham.

Abstract: Disclosed is an edible covering material provided with a grip, in which an obtained edible product is easily cooked and eaten by consumers, and is not easily damaged. The edible covering material (10) includes a storage unit (20) obtained by molding an edible dough, and provided with a storage space (S) including an opening (22) formed at one side thereof and support portions (26) formed thereon, and the grip (30) formed integrally with the other side of the storage unit (20) and made of the same material as that of the storage unit (20). Internal and external surfaces of the storage unit (20) are coated with a waterproof layer (24). The storage unit (20) and the grip (30) have strengthened structures, and is not easily damaged, thereby providing reliability to the consumers and allowing the content (P) in the edible covering material (10) to be eaten together by the consumers.

Abstract: Methods of producing edible thin film products and products so produced are provided. The method comprising the steps of: adding to a film formulation a food grade acid; and adding aspartame to the film formulation and acid.

Abstract: A food product, such as a baked good, having either high molecular weight starch hydrolysate or a crystalline hydrate producing sugar as a sweetening agent. Preferably, the starch hydrolysate has a dextrose equivalent of about 5 to 30 DE, and the crystalline hydrate former is raffinose or trehalose. The high molecular weight starch hydrolysate, the crystalline hydrate former, or combination thereof, increases the crispiness of the product at higher moisture levels. The food product can be a baked good such as an ice cream cone, cookie, wafer, or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a casing of a larger length for foodstuffs, particularly for sausages. Said casing is comprised of a number of casing sections, which contain collagens, while using a mandrel onto which a first casing section is slid followed by a second casing section, whereby the facing end areas of both casing sections overlap on the mandrel thus resulting in the formation of an overlapping area of casing sections on which heat and pressure are temporarily applied to at least partially weld the casing sections to one another in the overlapping area. The overlapping area is positioned on a deformable expanding body, which is placed inside the casing sections and whose diameter can be enlarged from an initial diameter up to a final diameter. The expanding body is enlarged form its initial diameter to its final diameter before or during the welding process whereby resulting in enlarging the diameter of the overlapping area as well.

Abstract: A description is given of a tubular artificial sausage casing and a process for preparing the same, characterized in that the sausage casing is closed at one end or two ends by a yarn having a metal insert.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for flavoring a food product. A dissolvable flavoring capsule comprises a capsule and a dissolvable flavoring mixture disposed within the capsule. The dissolvable flavoring mixture may include a filler and a flavoring additive. In operation, the dissolvable flavoring capsule may be placed in a food product and allowed to dissolve. The flavoring mixture permeates the food product, adding flavor to the food product. The dissolvable flavoring capsule may include an assortment of flavors. Consequently, a plurality of dissolvable flavoring capsules of different flavors may be combined to create a desired flavoring. In addition, the dissolvable flavoring capsule may be colored to correspond to the flavor of the dissolvable flavoring mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an edible packaging film for foodstuffs, which contains cellulose, at least one protein and at least one filler. Bran, ground natural fibres, cotton linters, chitosan, guar meal, carob meal or micro-crystalline cellulose are preferably used as the fillers. The film is predominantly used to produce synthetic sausage casings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment, in particular for the roughening, of the surface of hydrated cellulose shaped articles, in which at least one cellulase is allowed to act on the surface and is then inactivated permanently. The tubular films modified in this way are particularly suitable as foodstuff casings, specifically as sausage casings.

Abstract: A food condiment slice, method of using, composition and method for making, and methods for manufacturing are described. The food condiment slices are used with sandwiches, other food products, and beverages. The food condiment slices may have different structures such as face-fused, side-fused, face-fused-side-fused, woven, and chopped. The food condiment slices are formed from condiments such as catsup, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, steak sauce, jellies, jam, preserves, butter, margarine, marinades, creamers, and syrups. More than one food condiment can be integrated into a single food condiment slice. The food condiment slices eliminate the need and inconvenience of using and carrying spreadable, squeezable, and pourable food condiments. Also included are beverage condiment slices or discs such as coffee or tea dairy and non-dairy creamers.

Abstract: A process for making bread snacks with fillings of high water content is disclosed and the snacks have shelf lives at chilled or ambient temperatures of more than six weeks. Baked bread is used as raw material.

Abstract: A method of preparation and delivery of pocket bread in which the pocket bread is cut immediately after baking, the walls of the pocket bread are separated along the cut line, and individual pieces of pocket bread are nested one inside another to create a stack. Each piece of pocket bread is therefore pre-opened, and the stack is packaged for delivery to consumers.

Abstract: Edible films incorporating carrageenan in conjunction with Konjac and/or Gellan gums have been prepared as substitutes for edible collagen film currently used in meat processing. Compositions according to the present invention overcome the inherent thermoreversibility of carrageenan gel and do not disintegrate from exposure to hot or boiling water. The film can readily be processed to form casing, bags or other packaging useful in the food industry.

Abstract: A sugar wafer batter containing wheat flour, cereal grits, sucrose, and water, optionally with some or all of the sucrose replaced with a reducing sugar; or wheat flour, sucrose, a reducing sugar, and water. The sugar wafer batter is baked to make sugar wafers that are harder, more crunchy, and having a more coarse and gritty texture than a conventional sugar wafer. After the sugar wafer batter is baked, the resulting sugar wafers can be further processed for an extended period of time but still retain their characteristic and desirable crispiness when cooled. The sugar wafers can be used in a variety of confectionery products.

Abstract: A condiment holding cut piece of potato suitable for use as a french fry is provided. The cut piece is cut using a hydraulic cutter with a cross-sectional configuration which forms a trough suitable for holding condiments. The cross-sectional configurations include scoop, channel, and X or V shaped configurations.

Abstract: Potato products that retain shred integrity and that are sufficiently thin to fit into a standard toaster have been produced. In some embodiments, the potato products contain a filling. The potato products contain a network of shredded potatoes that enables the potato products to retain structural integrity during production and further manipulation of the product. Extrusion and sheeting methods are used to obtain potato products that retain the desirable shred integrity. A method and apparatus is provided for simultaneously cutting and crimping individual food items from a filled extruded or sheeted product.

Abstract: Removable edible label based on collagen for labelling food products, the label being free of any adhesive layer, being able to stick to the food product throughout the slaughter process until packaging and being able to be removed intact from the food product whenever desired, said label has a swelling rate in water between 120% and 450% and a pH value between 5,5 and 10,0. The present invention relates to removable edible labels based on collagen for labelling food products, to edible films based on collagen, to a process for preparing an edible film based on collagen from a collagen gel and to a process for preparing removable edible labels based on collagen from edible films.

Abstract: A checkerboard confectionary game that includes a box with a checkerboard pattern disposed on one surface to form a game board and a checkerboard pattern formed on a side surface such that multiple boxes can be positioned to form stacks of boxes with a checkerboard appearance, playing pieces that may be individually wrapped cookies of two designs with unique moves, and unique capture and winning rules for the game.

Abstract: Flour tortillas (i.e. soft tacos and tortillas, wraps, flatbreads) with improved texture and nutritional characteristics represent novel food products that can be processed using flour milled from specific barley cultivars (barley cultivars with waxy starch characteristics and high levels of fibre) as the flour source and with modifications to the die-cut or hot press tortilla methods. Tortilla chips (i.e. taco chips, sopapillas) also produced from specific types of barley flour using the previously described methods can be baked or fried. Barley tortillas and chips can also be produced from barley masa which is produced by cooking and steeping waxy barley in an alkali solution (nixtamalization).

Abstract: The invention relates to intermediate-moisture formed food products made from a mixture of partially dehydrated fruit or vegetable pieces and a gelled matrix such that the water activity in the matrix is substantially equivalent to the water activity of the fruit or vegetable pieces in the mixture. The product may be made from one type of fruit or vegetable alone, a mixture of different fruits, a mixture of different vegetables, or a mixture of various fruit and vegetable pieces.

Abstract: The process for making a shaped snack chip uses various components to form a chip having depth such as a bowl-shaped tortilla chip. The chips are formed by sheeting into an initial flat shape. The chips are then passed along for shaping by a mold and plunger conveyor. Once plunged to the mold shape, the chips are reduced in moisture content by baking and frying. After frying, oil is evacuated from the chips whereafter salt and flavoring is applied, if desired, prior to being packaged.

Abstract: Drops of Honey is a capsule made of hydroxymethlcellulose that is filled with honey. Drops of Honey is a food product in which its capsule dissolves in boiling water. This allows for the honey to escape into the beverage of choice, preferably tea. It is a food product that will be mainly used with tea and other hot beverages.

Abstract: The invention provides sponges (foams) produced from hydrocolloids by the expansion of gels of these. The foams have properties which can be varied, such as water absorption, biodegradibility, pore size and structure. Edible products can be produced which may contain an edible plasticizer, a sugar or sugar substitute and possibly also a flavoring agent or taste enhancer. The novel sponges are produced by preparing a gel of a hydrocolloid, and either sealing it in a closed vessel with a liquid of similar composition, pressurizing the vessel and abruptly releasing the pressure, followed by freeze drying, or by incorporating in such a gel a suitable microorganism, such as a yeast and inducing fermentation in the presence of a suitable nutrient medium, so that the carbon dioxide formed results in the expansion and foam formation, which is processed to the final product. The sponges-foams of the invention are such, that the initial network of the gel is maintained.

Abstract: A porous food casing consisting essentially of a film of food grade thermoplastic having a plurality of interconnected interstices therein. The interstices are defined by a porosity modifier selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, peanut oil, corn oil, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, monolaurate, mineral oil, polyoxyethylene, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate and glycerol monooleate. The interstices are in a range of approximately 0.002 to 1 micron and the casing has a water vapor permeability in a range of about 1 to 1500 gms/m2/min.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus produces defined lengths of meat or other filling materials for taquitos, enchiladas, burritos, and other rolled, wrapped, or folded tortilla foods. This apparatus includes a small, upper, filling conveyor that operates in parallel with a large, lower, tortilla conveyor. Other components include an extruder, nozzle, cutter, and various sensors that produce output signals indicating tortilla and filling position. Encoders are also provided to represent position and/or movement of at least the upper conveyor. According to the sensor outputs, a controller regulates operation of the upper conveyor, extruder, and cutter to produce and then accurately deposit segments of filling material upon tortillas as they pass by upon the lower conveyor. As needed, the controller (1) advances, reversed, and/or stops the upper conveyor, (2) directs the pump to start/stop filling production, and (3) regulates the cutter to cut extruded filling material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose solution suitable for extrusion as a seamless tubular film by providing a pulp of substantially open-ended fibrillated softwood fibers having a mean fiber length less than 2.0 mm and then dissolving the pulp in a suitable solvent to produce the cellulose solution. In addition, the present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose food casing from a cellulose solution of the present invention.

Abstract: A bread bowl or boule comprises a spherical edible shell. The volume of the shell provides a space, volume, or container of at least one individual serving size portion of a food material. The bowl typically comprises a spherical shell with an opening resulting from a section removed. The bowl can be manufactured by forming a bakable shell surrounding a fugitive space filling composition. Upon baking, the heat of baking results in a change of state such that the fugitive space filling material exits the interior of the bowl leaving a volume suitable for a single serving portion. The structure adapted for baking comprises an exterior dough shell and an interior fugitive section. Extruding the dough with a fugitive composition in the interior and sealing the extruded ends into a substantially rounded or spherical structure can make the production unit. In preparation, the unbaked bowl is baked leaving a spherical hollow structure.

Abstract: The cylindrical container is made of paper and has a rim, a seam along the vertical dimension thereof and an overlap in that seam. The bottom end of the container has a twisted and flattened tuft of paper. A fold is provided around the rim. This fold encloses the overlap crosswise for retaining the shape of the container. The paper container is usable as a seedling pot. There is also provided a hand tool for manually forming these paper containers. This hand tool comprises a cylindrical body having a diameter, a closed end and an open end, and a handle mounted to the closed end. The hand tool also has a cavity extending inside the cylindrical body from the open end, where the tuft of paper is pushed in during the forming of the bottom end of the container. There is also provided a method for forming paper containers using the hand tool.

Abstract: An oven-stable edible moisture barrier for food products is provided. This oven-stable moisture barrier is useful in preventing moisture migration within a multi-component food product between components having different water activities even when the multi-component food product is exposed to elevated temperatures. The oven-stable edible moisture barrier of this invention is formed from a composition comprising an edible, low melting oil having a melting point of about 35° C. or lower and an edible, high melting fat having a melting point of about 70° C. or higher, wherein the edible, low melting oil and the edible, high melting fat are co-micromilled at a temperature above the melting point of the edible, low melting oil but below the melting point of the edible, high melting fat to form a cream-type mixture. This composition has unique thermal and mechanical properties that makes it ideal as an edible moisture barrier for use in food products, especially for baking applications.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are disclosed that can comprise, on a dry solids basis, 25 to 75 percent by weight of certain starch derivatives and 25 to 75% primary external plasticizer. The starch derivatives can be chemically modified starches that range in molecular weight from 100,000 to 2,000,000. The high levels of plasticizer in the films give excellent film flexibility and integrity. The films are also resistant to penetration by water, oil and/or grease.

Abstract: A shaped edible product, such as a carrier or container, consisting of potato or rice, which is intended for accommodating an edible topping or filling of, for example, meat, fish, vegetables and the like, is coated externally with an egg product or a fat product. The external surface can also comprise a coating of breadcrumbs. Such a shaped product is suitable not only for use in a fast food restaurant or snack bar, but also for home consumption. It is sufficient to deep-fry the shaped product and then fill it with a garnish.

Abstract: The present invention includes an edible container that can hold and contain medium and low viscosity liquids for extended periods of time. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an edible dehydrated food sheet formed into a vessel capable of holding liquid for extended periods of time without leakage and capable of being hand-held, an opening in said container for receiving liquids, and a flat base capable of stabilizing said container in an independent upright position. The dehydrated food sheet may be formed from dehydrated fruit or dehydrated vegetable material.

Abstract: Batter-derived food products were made that have a continuous spongy structure with a filling encased within the spongy structure. In some embodiments, filled pancakes with encased filling were made. The filled food products were made by depositing the filling on partially cooked components. After the filling was deposited, the partially cooked components were heated further to generate a fully cooked food product with filling encased within the cooked food product. In some embodiments, a pancake component with the filling deposited was combined with another pancake component and further heated to seal the edges and produce a filled pancake with the filling sealed within the pancake.