Abstract: Method of and apparatus for processing, sterilizing and packaging solid food in which a food portion is held in a saline solution contained in an enclosure formed by a packaging film, the food portion is processed and sterilized by ohmic heating, which also sterilizes the inside surface of the film, and after processing, the enclosure is collapsed around the food portion and resealed as an encapsulation around it, thus producing a sterilized package.

Abstract: The process of meat curing involves a number of steps. Such steps include the injection of a brine composition into a meat product. The brine composition of the present invention comprises calcium citrate, calcium lactate, potassium chloride, lactose, saccharose, potassium phosphate, ascorbic acid, and sodium nitrite. The injected brine composition produces a meat product which is low in sodium, is notably richer in potassium and calcium and in which the meat produced maintains the characteristic flavor and aroma of meat products high in sodium content.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bag for curing food, said bag being made from a heat-resistant, foldable material. Conventionally, simultaneous flavoring and curing of food is awkward. The interior of the bag (1) according to the invention contains material releasing flavoring gas, whereby desired flavoring of food curing inside the bag is attained.

Abstract: A partly-overlapped portion of a sheath film is meltbonded by heat to provide a seal which a user can tear open with ease. A heat sealing area of the sheath film is halftone printed to reduce the bonding area, thereby decreasing the bonding strength. A tearing portion is provided along the heat seal which is printed so that it has a bonding strength which gradually increases along the tear part until it reaches the bonding strength of the remainder of the heat seal. A curl section having minimal bonding strength relative to the tearing portion of the heat seal is induced to curl up using heat treatment to allow the user to grasp the sheath film at the tear part.

Abstract: Meat is tenderized in the absence of a tenderizing agent by immersing the meat in a liquid bath and maintaining the bath at a controlled temperature within a range that hastens enzymatic tenderizing of the meat.

Abstract: The food product comprises an arrangement of parallel elongate lengths of a hollow alimentary paste product (1b) connected together. The ends (5) of the lengths constitute a first surface on one side of the arrangement and can be closed. The arrangement can be enclosed in a plastic wrapping (3) capable of withstanding cooking and provided with openings (4). In one method of manufacture, the lengths are arranged in the desired form, the flat surface is wetted and slight pressure is exerted on the sides of the assembled lengths. In another method of manufacture, an arrangement of lengths of the product (1b) is placed in a plastic wrapping (3). The food product thus formed is firm and is easily transportable after cooking. It can be eaten without implements and without mess, by holding it in the hand like a sandwich or hamburger, even if it contains sauce. It can also be used as a new form of pasta.

Abstract: A method of dry curing ham to prepare dry cured country ham by the steps of: treating a ham to displace residual blood and other fluids from the ham body; pre-salting the ham while mechanically abrading the skin portion thereof; applying a full curing agent to the ham; packaging the ham in a sealed vacuum pouch; maintaining the sealed ham under vacuum conditions for a time period sufficient to effect expression of residual fluids and blood from the ham body; opening the packaged ham to the atmosphere; subjecting the packaged ham to a chilled temperature over a period of time sufficient for the salt to enter the ham; drying the ham on a drying rack and then aging the ham.

Abstract: An improve heat-sealable cook-in package for meat products capable of providing excellent adherence with minimal purge loss comprised of interfacing sealable wall portions the interfacing layers of which consist of a high strength, high shrink, low melt index ethylene acid copolymer for adhering contact with the product and itself.

Abstract: Food products, especially fresh food products such as retail-cut red meat, vegetables and fruits, are packaged with a film having at least one film layer comprising a substantially linear ethylene polymer, preferably a polymer comprising ethylene and at least one .alpha.-olefin comonomer, e.g. 1-octene. The ethylene polymers used in the construction of the film structures used in this invention are prepared by constrained geometry catalyst technology. The film structures can be either mono- or multilayered, oriented or nonoriented, oxygen permeable or impermeable, and prepared by any conventional technique. The food products can be packaged by any conventional method, e.g. stretch overwrap, shrink, vacuum skin, on vacuum forming.

Abstract: An energy efficient method of sterilizing canned food in a sterilizing kettle comprises the use of 95.degree. C. hot water, which is kept in a first reservoir, to expel the air in a sterilizing kettle containing the canned food to be sterilized and to preheat the kettle and the canned food. The 95.degree. C. hot water is cooled to become 85.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained out of the kettle to be kept in a second reservoir. Thereafter, steam is injected into the kettle to sterilize the canned food. The 85.degree. C. hot water kept in the second reservoir is then introduced into the kettle in which the 85.degree. C. hot water is converted by a heat exchange to the 95.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained and kept in the first reservoir for use again in the next sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A process is provided for packaging a product, particularly one with sharp protrusions or discrete fragile regions. The process includes the steps of applying a polymeric material to an exterior surface of an outer packaging container, in the region covering sharp protrusions, thereby providing a protective cushion against rupture or tearing of the container surrounding the product during shipping and storage. The liquified polymeric composition containing a microcrystalline wax is applied at a point-of-contact temperature between about 75.degree. F. and about 160.degree. F.; the applied material is then allowed to solidify in the form of a flexible resilient coating. The polymeric material used in the process consists essentially of a polymer, a synthetic or naturally occurring tackifying resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an antioxidant stabilizer.

Abstract: A food-grade antioxidant and a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere environment are provided in combination in a cooking container and a food is cooked in the presence of the antioxidant and the non-oxidizing gas atmosphere for preventing or reducing oxidation of lipids and vitamins in the food. As a result, rancidity from cooking lipid-containing food, and the resultant off-odors and flavors associated therewith, as well as color changes and loss of nutritional quality of the food, can be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: A method for shrink packaging bone-in food masses such as meat cuts is disclosed, A patch bag comprising a thin-walled heat shrinkable thermoplastic film bag and a thick-walled non-heat shrinkable thermoplastic film patch having its inner surface bonded to the bag outer surface is used. Both surfaces have high energy as the sole bonding means and the patch-bag bond strength increases during heat shrinking around the meat mass such that the bag portion adhered to the patch shrinks less than the rest of the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food packaging bag comprising a water-resistant perforated sheet part which composes of at least a part of an outer layer of the bag, a moisture permeable waterproof film which is laminated by bonding in part to an inside of the perforated sheet part as an inner layer to form a moisture permeable waterproof part, and a waterproof sheet part which composes of the rest of the outer layer part. Further, when, if desired, an absorbent sheet layer is provided on at least a part of the inside of the waterproof sheet part, the functions of the moisture permeable waterproof film such as moisture permeability are scarcely impaired when the packed food is heat-cooked, and the moisture permeable waterproof film weak in strength is seldom broken by scraping distribution or bursting during cooking with heat.

Abstract: An extruded film article such as a bag comprises a blend of a thermoplastic polymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate and an olefinic oxide polymer such as poly (ethylene oxide), with a modifier such as liquid smoke absorbed in the blend. The modifier is transferable from the film to a receiving surface such as a food body in fluid transfer relationship with the film.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing, packing and sealing a meat product includes at first station (1) sterilizing the meat product surface layer or stratum by submitting it to a thermal shock of high temperature during a very short interval (HTST technique), feeding the meat products to the first station and withdrawing the meat product from the first station and transferring it to a second station (2), wrapping the meat product at the second station in a pre-set position including for sequentially positioning (57, 58) tubular container such as bags (65) from a storage area (62) therefor to the wrapping position and opening the inlet of the tubular container for insertion of the meat product therein from the transfer device (0), transferring (85, 86, 87, 88, 95) the filled tubular containers in the open position to a third station (3), and vacuum sealing the containers at the third station.

Abstract: The process disclosed relates to the preservation of shellfish products so as to extend their shelf-life. A thermally conductive mixture which forms a liquid barrier upon heating and a gel upon cooling is introduced to the shellfish container for packaging. Specific steps of heating to kill bacteria and other undesirable microorganisms and subsequent rapid cooling are required. Ultimate refrigeration of the packaged product is undertaken for long-term storage. In a second preferred embodiment, the gel-forming mixture is added to the shellfish product in the container to a height of approximately 83% of the can height, a vacuum is applied, and the can is sealed. The sealed can is heated in a retort to kill all microorganisms and to partially cook the shellfish to attain a shellfish product which is shelf stable without requiring refrigeration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for agitating and thermally conditioning containers that are carried along a conveyor and engage agitating apparatus in the form of two rollers positioned above the conveyor and adjacent one another and rotatably drive to cause the container to roll against the conveyor and the rollers to effect agitation of the container and the contents while being engaged by a thermal conditioning fluid to effect a temperature change of the container and its contents. One of the two rollers is movable between such a container agitating position and a container passing position that will permit the container to pass over the rollers to move beyond the agitating station and toward an exit from the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thermoplastic packaging bag having a carrying handle and relates specifically to a packaging bag having a separate carrying handle. After the bag is loaded with product and closed, the closure securely attaches the handle to the bag.

Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatus for producing instantly cookable pasta including various kinds of pasta and Chinese and Japanese noodles, and an encased instantly cookable pasta produced by such method and apparatus. According to the invention, part of raw dough of a starting mixture, which contains wheat flour as a major component, is subjected to preliminary steam-cooking, and then mixed with the remaining uncooked part of the starting mixture. The resulting mixture is then processed through shaping, steam-cooking and drying stages to obtain instantly cookable pasta, enshrouding the instantly cookable pasta product in a water-permeable casing before shipment. Due to suppression of thermal degeneration of gluten, the instantly cookable pasta possesses favorable resiliency and is free of the smell inherent to raw wheat flour and cohesion of individual pasta cords.

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. The aggregated and cured ham muscle and fat are placed into a casing so as to concentrically surround the skewered bone. The product is then cooked and, after removing the skewer, sliced into ham steaks of uniform size and weight with a central bone piece.

Abstract: A meat product package including an enclosing film having an EVA-containing inside surface and an in situ aqueous medium-cooked meat product in adhering relation to the film inside surface as the meat contacting and adhering surface. Starch particles are preferably dispersed across the meat contacting surface which has been both irradiated and subjected to corona treatment. A method for corona treating a thermoplastic tube inside surface in which small particles within the flat tube separate opposite surfaces providing voids, and the electric discharge crosses the flat tube through the voids.

Abstract: A process for preparing a preserved rice product is disclosed. Here rice is treated at a pH of 4.5 or below with a polymeric acid food acceptable acid and placed in a microorganism-impermeable container.

Abstract: For improving the keeping qualities of certain food products, especially sliced meat products, it is suggested that the food products immediately after they have been packed are subjected to a heat treatment by means of microwave energy, so that they are maintained at a temperature in the interval 50.degree.-80.degree. C., preferably 50.degree.-70.degree. C., during a time period of 5-60 seconds. The food products (12) are moved by means of an endless belt (9) in a path across an elongated wave guide (15, 21) which has at least one slot (19; 22, 23) extending across the whole food products movement path.

Abstract: A method and package for packaging and preserving a sliced cored whole fruit (10) together with a complementary food (18). The whole fruit is prepared by coring to define an elongate central passage (12) and slicing the whole fruit into a plurality of radially symmetric segments (14). The segments are assembled in the shape of a whole fruit around a moisture impermeable inner container (16) containing the complementary food. The inner container has approximately the same outer dimensions as the inner dimensions of the central passage so that the inner container essentially fills and displaces the majority of the air from the central passage. The assembled fruit segments and filled inner container are then sealed within an outer container (20).

Abstract: A stable rice product is disclosed which is acid-pasteurized. The rice is treated with a polymeric food acceptable acid to a pH of 4.5 and lacks an acid flavor. Alginic acid, pectic acid, carageenic acid and carboxymethylcellulose acid are indicated to be suitable acids.

Abstract: A shirred tubular thermoplastic casing article of an ethylene polymer film with a substantially mineral oil-free liquid lubricating coating on the outside surface of the casing, and in contact with the ethylene polymer film, with preferred coatings being polyhydric alcohols such as 1, 2 propylene glycol or glycerine in water, or an aqueous dispersion of lecithin, and a method of manufacturing the article and method for making a processed foodstuff using the article.

Abstract: An article for shrink packaging bone-in food masses such as meat cuts comprising a thin-walled heat shrinkable thermoplastic film bag and a thick-walled nonheat shrinkable thermoplastic film patch having its inner surface bonded to the bag outer surface. Both surfaces have high energy as the sole bonding means and the patch-bag bond strength increases during heat shrinking around the meat mass such that the bag portion adhered to the patch shrinks less than the rest of the bag.

Abstract: A novel system of barbecue cooking, processing, packaging, and storage of meats such as ribs, chicken etc is described. A byproduct of the cooking and blending is pasteurization in one and the same process. The consumer merely microwaves or boils the finished product intact with its OEM packaging and enjoys the taste as if the meat has just been prepared on a barbecue pit. A special barbecue sauce is marinated into the meat to create a realistic barbecue flavor. The process also increases the shelf life of the product as prepared by this process. A pH factor of 3.5 is maintained which not only kills the bacteria and germs but it also helps tenderize the meat and prevents from growing spores.

Abstract: A food product package includes a bulky food product hermetically sealed in a bag of heat shrunk film. The package has an integral self-supporting handle which is formed from plies of the film and which extends out from an end of the package in a conventional handle shape. The handle is formed by causing a skirt portion of the bag to heat shrink about a rigid member positioned to maintain the skirt portion spaced from an end of the package during shrinking.

Abstract: An automatic heating apparatus for uniformly cooking foods which rapidly cools the cooked foods to reduce spoilage. Food packages are placed on trays and the trays are inserted in a transportable rack. The rack is loaded into a cooking tank. A pump continuously circulates hot water through a conduit from a heat exchanger to the tank to cook the food and returns the water back to the heat exchanger. A control mechanism determines and controls the temperature of the water and monitors the temperature of the food to control the length of time the heated water is applied. After the food has been properly cooked and pasteurized, cold water is rapidly supplied to the tank to quickly cool the cooked products. The continuous circulation of water during the heating mode provides uniform cooking with precise temperature control and the circulation during the cooling mode provides for rapid cooling so as to reduce spoilage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the commercial sterilization of thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers, which are hermetically sealed with an easy-peel aluminum foil/plastic-coated lid stock material. The apparatus is a rack of molds, each mold having a recessed groove to support the lip of the plastic container and a mold lid having a rigid portion covering the lid and a resilient portion inside the rigid portion to permit the lid of the plastic container to expand in a controlled manner during sterilization. The rigid portion of the mold lid can be angled to fit the contour of the expanded container lid.

Abstract: As a continuous length of plastic film is supplied from a roll, a first type of fish meat paste is continuously applied onto the film so as to form thereon a continuous stripe of the first type of fish meat paste, on which a second type of fish meat paste is continuously applied with a certain pressure so that the two types of fish meat paste, one of which is colored red while the other is uncolored, are intermingled to form on the plastic film a membrane closely resembling the membrane covering real crab leg meat. A core comprising a bundle of fibers made of coagulated fish meat paste is placed on the membrane and wrapped therein by means of the plastic film. Heating coagulates the membrane thereby to form the membrane and the core wrapped therein into an integral body closely resembling real crab leg meat in appearance and texture.

Abstract: The process disclosed relates to the preservation of shellfish products so as to extend the shell-life of shellfish thereof. A thermally conductive mixture which forms a liquid barrier upon heating and a gel upon cooling is introduced to the shellfish container for packaging. Specific steps of heating to kill bacteria and other undesirable microorganisms and subsequent rapid cooling are required. Ultimate refrigeration of the packaged product is undertaken for long-term storage.

Abstract: A multilayer packaging structure for microwave food reheating applications or for sterilized hot filling is provided having an outer layer prepared from a blend of polyphenylene ether and a high impact polystyrene. The polyphenylene ether-high impact polystyrene layer is useful as a structural support layer and provides resistance to distortion and burn through during microwave reconstitution or hot filling. The PPE/HIPS blend layer serves to increase the high temperature performance of the coextruded structure without sacrificing the thermoformability characteristics generally associated with HIPS based monolayer or multilayer structures. The ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride layers act as the oxygen barrier to prevent food spoilage and the polyolefin layer acts as a moisture barrier.

Abstract: A process for packaging a product, particularly one with sharp protrusions, a composition for cushioning the sharp protrusions during packaging and a foamed material prepared therefore, the process including the steps of applying a foamed composition to the product to be packaged; and encasing the product in an outer package. The foamed material can be applied in liquid or semi-liquid form at a point-of-contact temperature less than about 130.degree. F. and solidifies substantially on contact. The foamed material is, preferably, applied selectively to cover the sharp protrusions and contains a chemical substrate containing a polymer having the general formula, a resin and a stabilizer. A suitable gas is encapsulated therein. The process, composition and foamed material have particular utility in the meat-packing industry.

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: A method of preparing a rosin baked potato by wrapping a whole potato in a wrapper formed from a rosin impregnated cellulosic substrate laminated to a flexible sheet and having perforations provided to allow steam to vent as the potato is baked in a heating apparatus.

Abstract: Free, unbound water is removed from cooked meat by contacting the meat with a water-absorbing material. The treated cooked meat, from which water and the water-absorbing material are removed, is then packaged.

Abstract: Free, unbound water is removed from cooked meat by treating the meat with a water-absorbing material. The treated cooked meat from which water has been removed is then packaged.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a tray of produce or other articles requiring ventilation is provided. A ventilated package produced in accordance with the method is also provided. In accordance with the method, a sheet of flexible plastic film is applied to an open ended tray. The sheet includes a perforated portion which is bounded by non-perforated lateral edge portions. The sheet is positioned with respect to the tray such that the perforated portion is located over the open end of the tray while the non-perforated lateral edge portions extend over opposing portions of the rim of the tray and down the side walls thereof. The sheet is stretched in such a manner that the non-perforated lateral edge portions are subject to more severe stretching than the perforated portion of the sheet. The sheet accordingly will not tend to tear despite the presence of perforations.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing batter materials, such as food batter, including sausage batter for wieners and the like, without incorporating the use of any casing for the batter. The apparatus forms a blank having a proteinaceous skin made of congealing surface batter materials. Each thus formed blank is ejected onto a conveyor that includes a device for completing the formation of congealed skin on the blank. The thus shaped items can then be packaged and cooked within the package in order to provide an aseptic product. If desired, the items can be cooked and then packaged in order to provide a product having an acceptable shelf-life.

Abstract: A multi-ply, heat-shrinkable film has a surface layer for contact with a cooked or processed meat product which is formed of an ethylene-ethyl acrylate-maleic anhydride copolymer or a mixture of the ethylene-ethyl acrylate-maleic anhydride copolymer and a polyolefin, with the content of ethyl acrylate component in the surface layer being 2 to 20% by weight and the content of maleic anhydride component being 1 to 5% by weight. A cooked or processed meat product may be packaged with the multi-ply, heat-shrinkable film and formed according to "zero-loss cooking method".

Abstract: Plastic web materials are provided which are selectively treated in a patterned manner with corona discharge. Methods for making and using such webs are provided. In one aspect, such a web is utilized as the inside surface of a container structure. During meat cook-in, such structure selectively in treated areas adhere to highly proteinaceous material cooked therein.

Abstract: A sour cream-based filling is utilized in retorted filled pasta products such as lasagna, manicotti and ravioli. The filling does not discolor or develop a tough texture during the retort process. The filling contains from 70 to 95% by weight sour cream.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of bacon having improved taste and aesthetic appearance which is suitable for heating in a microwave comprising the steps of:providing slices of uncooked bacon;placing said slices of uncooked bacon between a pair of screen members;conveying said uncooked bacon between said screen members into a bath of hot cooking oil containing bacon grease;maintaining said bacon in said bath for a period of time sufficient to cook said bacon to the desired degree of crispness;conveying the cooked bacon from said bath,removing said bacon from between said screen members; and theheating said bacon in a microwave oven.

Abstract: A shrink bag having one end heat sealed to form the closed end of a bag pocket and including a skirt portion at this closed end which forms a handle upon heat shrinking the bag about a food product. The bag is particularly adapted for packaging whole turkeys and the like and, to this end, the heat seal is configured so the bag pocket closed end is a deep cavity shaped to accommodate the tail end of the turkey.

Abstract: A multi-layer material with a layer (A) of a saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having an ethylene content of 20 to 60 mol % and a degree of saponification of at least 90% and a layer (B) of a styrene-based polymer having mainly syndiotactic configuration, or a resin composition comprising 5 to 95 parts by weight of a saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (A) having an ethylene content of 20 to 60 mol % and a degreee of saponification of at least 90% and 95 to 5 parts by weight of a styrene-based polymer (B) having mainly syndiotactic configuration has gas barrier properties and markedly improved heat resistance.In a molding comprising the resin composition or the multi-layer material, contents (food) can be stored for a long period of time at ambient temperature. Moreover, after retort sterilization, the container can be heated by boiling, or in a microwave oven or a grill oven (at 220 to 240.degree. C.

Abstract: In order to reduce splitting in a perforated, heat shrinkable, thermoplastic bags made from seamless tubing, rather than employ needle punched perforations, it has been discovered that slits cut by a knife blade will surprisingly reduce the splitting when a product, such as a meat product, is cooked within the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing a sausage package containing up to about 30 sausages wherein each sausage is individually packaged in packaging films. The sausages are produced directly into the packaging films to be cooked while being retained within said films. Suitable sized packages including one or more sausages may be cut from the length of packaging film including the individual sausages. The unique possibility of producing several parallel sausages is obtained by sealing off the individual sausages from continuous parallel packaging film tube by sealing and shaping molds forming the rear end of one stuffed row of sausages and the fore end of the next row of sausages to be stuffed.