Abstract: Flavoring, dietary minerals, vitamins, other nutritional supplements, or medicines may be dispensed in a filter assembly designed to cap a neck or open end of a bottle. A cap has a manual valve extending from the top thereof and operatively connected to the bottom thereof is an activated carbon block tubular filter having a porosity of between about 8-120 microns. Disposed within the tubular carbon block is a soluble solid porous element, having a porosity greater than that of the carbon block, and having a solubility between about one quarter and one-one hundredth of sucrose. The soluble element is at least in part a flavoring, vitamin, dietary mineral, nutritional supplement, or medicine. It also may be tubular, and substantially lining the soluble porous element may be a hydrophobic membrane which allows passage of water therethrough under pressure, but not under static pressure conditions.

Abstract: A food container and its method of use are disclosed. The food container includes a top panel, bottom panel and plurality of sidewalls. A movable panel is hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls, allowing a consumer to open the container. Attached to the lower edge of the movable panel is a shelf supporting a food item. A consumer can access the food item by opening the movable panel, which causes the shelf to carry the food item outside the container into a position that permits the consumer to easily manipulate it. The food item or a portion thereof can then be replaced in the container by simply closing the movable panel. The shelf may engage one or more sidewalls of the bottom panel to assist in maintaining the container in a closed position after initial opening and reclosing. The container is suitable for packaging food items that include both microwaveable and non-microwaveable ingredients. A foldable blank for manufacturing the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a parting composition for facilitating the release of foodstuffs from cooking utensils, the composition containing an edible oil, lecithin, water, a organic, non-soap fluidizing agent. The water is present in an amount sufficient to partially, but not fully, hydrate the lecithin so as to render the partially hydrated lecithin insoluble in the edible oil. The method includes combining at least the lecithin and fluidizing agent and homogenizing the ingredients to reduce the size of the lecithin platelets. The composition, which may further include a suitable normally gaseous propellant to discharge the composition from a conventional aerosol spray can, provides a substantially clear and smooth spray coating on cooking utensils at ambient temperatures, without the need for ethyl alcohol in the composition. The composition may optionally include conventional modifying agents such as suspending agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, flavorants, etc.

Abstract: A bottled water contained system for admixture of frozen juice and powdered drink concentrates is disclosed. This invention provides a plurality of plastic containers including bottled water from an identifiable commercial source of a volume which is less than the total volume of the container. The admixture of the concentrate in frozen, liquid, or powdered form provides a reconstituted fruit drink of a volume which fills the container to capacity. In one embodiment a bottled water container generally in the form of a pitcher is provided with a mouth opening which is dimensioned to receive a standard-sized can of frozen juice concentrate. In an alternative embodiment the bottled water container is provided with a cup-shaped insert which resides in the mouth opening of the container to give the appearance of a full container. The insert has a volume equal to the volume of a standard-sized can of frozen juice concentrate which is added to the container after the insert is removed.

Abstract: A liquid feed bottle for an infant having a body made from a container portion bonded to a teat with an orifice. The body holds a liquid feed such as milk. A cap is bonded or sealed to the body and protects the teat. A cap portion is initially detachable from the body by pulling and removing a tear strip, the cap portion thus released being subsequently securable on the body by a press fit.

Abstract: A method of packaging and preparing a mixed drink and the mixed drink mixer package therefor, wherein pre-measured mixer ingredients are packaged in a container that is marketed and sold with extra head-space for the subsequent addition and shaking of ingredients according to the consumer's taste, and preferably with a strainer for straining the mixed drink prior to serving. The consumer may prepare the drink by adding an alcoholic beverage and, if desired, ice through the wide opening of the container. Blending of the ingredients may be accomplished by shaking the container, which is provided with a removable, leak-proof cap. The ingredients may be strained through the detachable strainer when they are poured from the container, or the container itself may be used as a drinking vessel, thus minimizing the time, effort, and inconvenience of amassing a variety of containers and implements that are associated with prior art methods of packaging the ingredients for mixed drinks and preparing mixed drinks.

Abstract: A packaged cheese product comprises a hermetically sealed container, preferably a pouch, made out of flexible material; a decorator tip or adaptor therefor inside the container, a cheese product inside the container and a cap for closing the decorator tip when the pouch is partially emptied. The cheese product can be extruded after cuffing the corner off of the pouch and seating the decorator tip in the resulting opening. Cheese in decorative shapes can then be easily applied as a garnish on food items and the pouch can then be reclosed by capping the decorator tip. The cap preferably has a bulb member that fits inside the decorator tip and a skirt member that fits around the outside petals of the preferred decorator tip.

Abstract: A snack food container comprises a blow molded extruded transparent polyvinyl chloride housing having solid wall and base segments, a token slot, and an opening through which a solid particulate snack food product is loaded into and removed from the housing. A releasable seal on an interior surface of the housing covers the token slot. The sealed cap, token slot seal and housing maintain the food product in a sealed state prior to the cap being removed and/or the seal being released. The housing is used as a token bank by inserting tokens through the released token slot after the food product has been removed from the housing and the seal has been released from the token slot. In one embodiment the token slot is a pressure sensitive adhesive strip adhesively attached to the housing, and in a second embodiment the slot is in the cap. The housing contains visible promotional material unrelated to the snack food.

Abstract: A container is used to store fine particles such as bakery flour in a sealed packaging, wherein air in the container, such as air entrapped during filling, can be expelled through compression without loss of fine particles. The container includes a main body forming a pouch which terminates in a principal opening and is fabricated from an imperforate flexible material such as clear plastic film. A sealing mechanism is attached to the pouch for sealing the pouch, and a multiplicity of microscopic pores extend through the flexible material. Each pore has a dimension ranging from 10 to 150 .mu.m sufficient to permit air to exit through an exit port, but to prevent the fine particles from escaping through the pores. At least a portion of the pouch material has an anti-slip surface with an external coefficient of friction ranging from about 0.4 to 0.5.

Abstract: The subject invention is a chocolate-coated beverage container and method for making it. A pull ribbon is affixed to the container over which a plastic inner sleeve comprised of shrink plastic with a tearable portion is positioned. The inner sleeve is heated to conform to the surface of the container so that the tearable portion is adjacent to the pull ribbon. Then, the container is coated with chocolate, keeping an end of the pull ribbon exposed, and the chocolate coating is cooled until it solidifies. Additionally, a transparent outer sleeve comprised of shrink plastic can be placed over the coated beverage container, and heated to conform to the surface of the chocolate coating.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn package including a container having a bottom wall, an open top and a tapered side wall extending from the bottom wall to the open top. The package also includes a variety of lids including a lid which has a substantially planar center portion. The lid is positioned within the container between the bottom wall and the open top to define a popcorn receiving region and to provide a support for the stacking of a plurality of containers. The invention further includes a pouch positioning collar and a method of making and assembling the above package.

Abstract: Disclosed are microwave shelf stable popcorn articles that contain real butter. The articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag and an improved popcorn/fat charge. In addition to kernel popcorn and fat, the charge further essentially includes about 1% to 8% of a high fat butter constituent. By virtue of selecting a particularly defined high fat butter ingredient, microwave popcorn articles can be prepared that are shelf stable.

Abstract: A method of imparting resistance to moisture and texture degradation in a baked dough bread roll made from a dough formulation including a starch-degrading, bacterially derived amylase enzyme, typically in combination with one or more of gluten, gum and egg white solids. The baked dough bread roll product exhibits resistance to moisture and texture degradation during storage at refrigerated temperatures within a hermetically sealed package, gas-flushed environment.

Abstract: Flavoring is applied by a nozzle to four locations around a transparent sidewall of a yogurt container at a first filling station. At a second filling station, yogurt base is delivered to a base of the container. A raised portion at the base of the container assists in creating turbulence to disperse the flavoring into a desired ripple pattern which may be viewed through the transparent sidewall of the container.

Abstract: A canning method for bread, includes a stepwise procedure for producing a dough and baking a finished bread within a standard food can while enabling the bread to be stored for very long periods without spoiling or becoming inedible. The method includes sterilizing steps and means for easy removal of the bread from the can. A paper wrapper enables the bread to be maintained uniformly moist.

Abstract: A method for preparing a food product to be cooked or reheated in a thermal oven, wherein the food is placed in a container made of a single peeled-wood blank that is folded and assembled at the folded side walls thereof. A tray particularly suitable for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn package including a container having a bottom wall, an open top and a tapered side wall extending from the bottom wall to the open top. The package also includes a substantially planar lid positioned within the container between the bottom wall and the open top to define a popcorn receiving region and to provide a support for the stacking of a plurality of containers. The invention also relates to a method of making and assembling the above container.

Abstract: A method for preparing savory or sweet foods such as pizzas, pies and the like from baked pastry and a sauce and/or a topping and/or condiments in which a basic dry or powdered liquid or wet ingredients are kept apart until the time of preparation. A condiment packaging is provided that includes storage compartments for the dry and/or powdered and liquid or wet condiments. The compartments are separate and communicate with one another to enable the ingredients to be mixed together and kneaded. The compartments may be opened to spread out the resulting substances by mixing.

Abstract: A flavored nipple device for an infant feeding apparatus such as a baby bottle is provided having a taste-modifying agent incorporated therein in an amount effective to modify the taste of a beverage dispensed through the device. The flavored nipple encourages young children to drink adequate amounts of important dietary liquids, such as water, by providing such liquids with improved taste.

Abstract: Disclosed are microwave shelf stable popcorn articles that contain real butter. The articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag and an improved popcorn/fat charge. In addition to kernel popcorn and fat, the charge further essentially includes about 1% to 8% of a high fat butter constituent. By virtue of selecting a particularly defined high fat butter ingredient, microwave popcorn articles can be prepared that are shelf stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package which contains a food product and an aromatized headspace. The headspace includes an aromatised food-acceptable inert gas and food-acceptable protective gas. The invention also relates to a process and an apparatus for introducing an aroma into the headspace of a package containing a food product during the gas packing of the food product by introducing a modified atmosphere into the headspace, and introducing a food-acceptable aroma dissolved in or mixed with a gaseous food-acceptable inert gas into the headspace of the package.

Abstract: A food-service kit and method includes a plurality of similar or diverse-type containers wherein the containers may be coupled together in various configurations to form toy-like assemblies. The respective containers include compatible projection and socket configurations so that they may be joined together as building blocks in order to create the toy-like devices.

Abstract: A tagged packet carries a tag which is attached to the main body of the packet by a thread. The thread comprises polypropylene so as to be attachable by heat sealing to the body. The body is made up of layers of sheet material also comprising thermoplastic material to allow the body to be closed by heat seals. The thread is secured to the f ace of the body at one edge at the same time as that edge is heat sealed and the heating for the thread seal is applied from the opposite face of the body whereas the adjacent regions of edge seal spaced from the thread has the heating applied through the first face. This arrangement gives closer control of the different conditions required for securing the thread and for sealing together only the sheet material of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package for food product useful for boil-in-bag or microwave. This package comprises a sealed flexible pouch with a web of oriented material having a slit in the direction of the orientation of the material which is covered by an adhesive membrane. The package is opened and emptied by peeling off the membrane to expose the slit, inverting the package and pulling the edges of the package substantially parallel with the slit to open the slit to facilitate emptying of the contents of the package without spillage and with a reduced risk of burning the fingers of the user.

Abstract: A method of improving the storage life of goods by storing the goods in an environment comprising heptafluoropropane at pressures of between about 0.1 atmospheres and about 2.0 atmospheres. Foods, pharmaceuticals, and other goods adversely affected by oxygen and/or moisture are effectively stored by the claimed method. The method is particularly effective for goods stored in plastic containers, and for goods stored in containers stoppered by rubber stoppers.

Abstract: A method of salting a cheese in a water-impermeable packing, where the desired amount of salt is applied on one or more of the outer surfaces of the cheese and/or in the used packing material, whereafter a water-impermeable packing is provided by means of said packing material, said packing surround the cheese and the salt. The method renders it possible to avoid the complicated and cost-intensive brining in brine and to control the content of salt to an optimal degree.

Abstract: A packaged egg omelet mix facilitates preparation of omelets by microwave heating. An upper container portion holds an omelet inlay, such as cheese, diced vegetables and diced meat, and has a cylindrical body and an upper end wall. A lower container portion also has a cylindrical body and encloses a sealed container holding an aseptically-packaged liquid egg. The omelet is prepared by depositing the liquid egg and omelet inlay into the lower container portion, and placing the lower container portion in a microwave oven for heating.

Abstract: A portable food container for use in holding dry and liquid foods for consumption. The container allows an individual to consume a combination of dry cereal and cold milk in a remote location away from the kitchen without the use of a bowl and a spoon. The portable food container is inverted to allow dry cereal to flow therefrom, and squeezed to allow milk to flow therefrom.

Abstract: A combination drinking straw and edible plug, the edible plug includes a body formed of a fondant mixture containing water, glucose and sucrose. There is not less than 30 parts of glucose and not more than 220 parts of glucose for every 100 parts of sucrose. The body has not less than 2% water and not more than 6% water by weight.

Abstract: A new structure for packaging foods and the method of preparing foods using the structure which consists of a food receptacle, its cover and a thin partition layer(s) for separating different food components of an entree during the manufacturing as well as during the heating of an entree. As the result of utilizing the present invention, the said entree can be manufactured more economically, also it can be heated and served easier by the end users without mixing the food components before heating, thus yielding a better quality hot food.

Abstract: A container assembly for housing liquid products and a prize therein which may be distributed with non-prize bearing containers comprising: a can for containing the liquid product in an interior chamber thereof, and a prize-holding subassembly positioned within the interior chamber for retaining a prize therein. The prize holding subassembly includes a tether for supporting the prize assembly. The tether includes a hair-pin shaped spring portion defining legs, and foot portions extending from those legs. A proximal end of the tether on one of the foot portions engages a gate on the underside of the can closure, and compresses the spring portion into a cocked, position. When the closure is opened, the gate releases the proximal end of the tether so that it may pop up through the open end of the can for gripping by the consumer. A distal end of the tether on the other end of the tether supports a prize container which is manually removable from the can with the tether.

Abstract: A beverage container assembly (28) comprising a container body defining a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, and a gas reservoir unit (1) adapted to be housed substantially within the container body (22). The gas reservoir unit (1) is adapted to be charged with a gas under super-atmospheric pressure whilst the reservoir unit (1) is outside of the container (22), and to retain the gas prior to insertion of the unit into the container body. A gas reservoir unit containing one or more chambers is also described.

Abstract: A beverage containing sugar is carbonated by first placing the beverage and a small amount of yeast in a bottle. A small paper disk impregnated or coated with a yeast-killing sterilizing agent such as sodium metabisulfite is attached to the underside of a bottle cap. The bottle is then sealed with the cap and stored in an upright position with the bottle cap holding the disk above the beverage. After the yeast has fermented a sufficient amount of the sugar to adequately carbonate the beverage, the bottle is shaken for a time to allow the beverage to rinse the yeast-killing agent from the disk. As the agent mixes with the beverage, it kills the yeast in the bottle, thereby terminating fermentation of the sugar.

Abstract: A food wiping condiment container for removing excess condiment from a food article after being dipped thereinto. The condiment container has a body, a thin, flexible cap sealingly attached to the body, and a tear-away strip attached to the cap. When the tear-away strip is torn from the cap, a slit is formed in the cap with mutually opposed slit edges. When a food article is partially inserted into the condiment container through the slit, the slit edges of the cap wipe against the food article. Accordingly, after the food article is partially dipped into a condiment stored inside the condiment container, the slit edges of the cap wipe against the food article to limit the thickness of condiment adhering to the food article as it is moved therepast.

Abstract: An infusible package includes a closed bag, containing an infusible substance for infusion in a liquid. The bag is formed from panels of porous material sealed at their peripheral margins; and at least one string. Each string extends through a seal between the panels, enters the interior of the bag at a point on the peripheral margins and extends across the interior of the bag to an anchoring point at or adjacent the peripheral margins. The length of that portion of each string which extends across the interior of the bag between the point on the peripheral margins and the anchoring point is greater than the distance between that point and the anchoring point. With this arrangement, pulling the string initially causes withdrawal from the bag interior of slack string length disposed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles in a carbonated beverage or other gas-containing liquid packaged in a can (120) or other sealed container. An initially liquid-free device (9) having an internal chamber with an inlet/outlet valve (130/150) assembly is placed in the can, which is then filled with the beverage. The can is sealed and pasteurized, which raises the internal pressure in the can to force some of the gasified beverage into the device through the inlet valve. The outlet valve holds the quantity of beverage in the internal chamber until the can is opened, whereupon the depressurization of the can opens the outlet valve to discharge the internal chamber through an orifice to initiate seed bubbles which form a head on the beverage. The method and apparatus are particularly applicable to producing a head on fermented alcoholic beverages to simulate draught beverages.

Abstract: A capsule package which contains roast and ground coffee for preparation of a coffee beverage has body and membrane components. The body has a base portion capable of allowing flow of a coffee beverage therethrough, an annular sidewall portion which extends transversely from the base about a package body interior space and defines an opening which opposes the base portion, and a rim portion which extends about the opening and transversely from the sidewall portion in a direction away from the opening.

Abstract: A method of making a food package including a food package tray and a food package jacket. The method involves placing a food package tray on a mandrel such that the inner surface of the tray contacts at least a portion of the mandrel. After this, the food package jacket is placed on the food package tray so that the food package jacket partially surrounds the food package tray. The food package jacket is then secured to the food package tray to make the food package. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: The invention comprises a salad sandwich and method of making the same where the salad sandwich is made of a baked edible shell that is open at one end and contains a tear-away bag which is filled with an appropriate sandwich fill. The tear-away bag keeps the sandwich fill fresh and prevents the sandwich fill from transferring moisture to the shell. The tear-away bag has a tear-away mechanism which, just before the salad sandwich is eaten, allows the bag to be removed in one step without removing the sandwich fill from the confines of the shell.

Abstract: The method of forming a microwaveable package, generally from a plurality of liners of material, and incorporating a heat-assist layer preferably intermediately of the liners of material, which said heat assist material comprising powdered carbon, that is originally applied to the inner surface of one of the intended liners, and in register at that location where the layer is desired within the formed microwave package. The material may be imprinted by a gravure or other roller application onto the inner surface of one of said liners of material, or adhesive applied or added onto that adhesive that laminates the liners together, in order to assure that proper and convenient registration of the layer within the laminate material, and provide for its location within the formed package preferably at a lower position where the food or other product is arranged, during microwaving, to attain that necessary heat assist desired from its addition.

Abstract: A liquid food product packaging process and apparatus is disclosed. The process may be employed for filling gable top cartons with high acid liquids such as orange juice. The product is heated to a sufficiently high temperature to sterilize the product for a short period of time and then cooled to an intermediate temperature that is sufficiently high to avoid the growth of bacteria, and at the intermediate temperature, the product is placed in unsealed gable top cartons. The cartons are sealed and allowed to cool to room temperature. This process produces a food package that has high seal integrity and relatively low carton distortion.

Abstract: A traveling web (11) having adjacent rows of infusion containing pockets (7) has a strip of web material (20) removed from between these rows to produce strips (19) of pockets (7) which are then attached to a cover member. The strip removal is achieved by co-rotating cutting wheels (26, 36) having co-operating shearing edges (32, 33, 34, 37). Removed strips (20) are guided into vacuum ducts (40) by fingers (41).

Abstract: A travelling two-ply web of infusion packages (11) is cut transversely by rotary cutting device (50) to form individual packages (1) which are attached to a styrene cover web (70). The packages 91) and web (70) are fed at the same speed rotary attachment device (100) comprising heated welding tips (102) cooperating with an anvil roller (90). The web (70) is fed to the attachment device at constant speed, but the packages (1) are accelerated up to the speed of the web (70) by accelerating rollers (62, 63) which grip the sealed edges of the packages. This introduces the necessary gap between successive packages. A hinge line (5) is produced in the web (70) by hinging device which facilitates folding of the cover and the package when the web carrying attached packages is cut into individual lengths.

Abstract: An improved method is described for use in packaging a wide variety of products, and in particular perishable food and horticultural products. The products are placed within a container of the type which establishes a modified atmosphere environment therein and is cooled, as by evaporation of liquid from a cooling collar partially surrounding the container. The container and cooling collar may be subjected to vacuum cooling. The container may include a mechanism to enhance the bulk gas transfer rate during the application of the vacuum while still maintaining the desired atmosphere within the container. The container atmosphere may be precharged with gas of a desired composition. In addition, fumigants may also be included therein. The package is suitable for field packing applications in which the product, such as strawberries, is picked directly into the container surrounded by the cooling collar with the container and cooling collars being placed in an outer box or other receptacle.

Abstract: Liquid contents such as water are stored in a heat-resisting can body having an openable section formed on an upper part thereof. Other material is stored within the can body while being separated from the liquid contents and, when the can body is heated above a predetermined temperature with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed and the liquid can come in contact with the stored material. When the openable section is closed while the can body is heated, the stored material is kept separate from the liquid even during a sterilizing process but, when the can body is heated with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed, and consequently the contents are mixed together. This permits the stored material to be preserved from the liquid until the contents of the can body are ready for use.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product employing a tray having side walls defining a cavity in an outwardly directed flange extending around the perimeter of the tray, the flange being adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: A system for feeding infants with an artificial formula includes the supply of a formula (20) into a bag (10) under sterile conditions. The bag (10) is not completely filled with formula (20), the formula (20) occupying one portion (12) with another portion (14) being collapsed as a result of withdrawal of air therefrom. The bag (10) is sealed. In use, the collapsed portion (14) of a bag (10) is inserted into a nursing bottle (16) and the formula (20) caused to flow into the collapsed portion (14) located within the bottle (16). The former filled portion (12) is removed to provide an opening to the formula (20) in the bag (10), and the free end is located between a cap (26) holding a teat (28) and the neck (18) of the bottle (16). The formula (20) may have an increased initial vitamin content to allow for loss of vitamins during storage.

Abstract: A collapsible container is disclosed having a top portion and a base portion joined by a generally cylindrical side wall structure, the generally cylindrical side wall structure has a central axis and a collapsible helical portion and the collapsible helical portion has a generally uniform radius and a generally flat side cross sectional shape with respect to the central axis. A cup section is also disclosed which can cause deformation of the collapsible container's side wall. The container is particularly suitable to store carbonated beverages and other consumer products.