Abstract: A method for cooking food includes heating a liquid cooking medium in a cooking vessel having a “U”-shaped structure having a height is sufficient, with sufficient medium added, to attain a hydrostatic pressure at a predetermined lower depth that is substantially greater than ambient atmospheric pressure. The food is conveyed through the vessel, mostly cooking at the bottom, where the hydrostatic pressure facilitates a cooking of the food at a rate substantially greater than a rate at ambient pressure. A further aspect of the invention is a method for reducing wastewater output and makeup water usage when cooking a food containing a complex carbohydrate. This method causes released complex carbohydrate to cause a lower viscosity increase than at ambient pressure, thereby increasing a cooking effectiveness of the water and reducing a need for adding makeup water and disposing of wastewater.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cooking non-cured food products in which the non-cured food products are heated in an atmosphere comprising less than about 0.5 vppmd of NO2, producing a cooked food product having substantially no pink discoloration on its outer surface.

Abstract: A dual-voltage, energy saving, electric pressure cooker is designed with a thermally insulated cooking pot, spaced-apart support members on the bottom of the pot to prevent food from sticking to the bottom, a unique, hinged, sauce-pan style handle for sealing and unsealing the pot using one hand, a built-in modem that supports the remote operation of manual or preprogrammed cooking controls by telephone or computer. The energy saving is accomplished in a two-mode pressure cooking process. Cooking mode one is active heating or steaming for a short, but controlled period of time, as the liquid inside the pot reaches a temperature of approximately 120° C. (250° F.). Heating is then discontinued and foodstuffs are subsequently cooked to perfection in a second cooking mode wherein latent heat from the first cooking mode completes the cooking process without additional heat being added.

Abstract: A food preparation apparatus having a food carrier holding one or more articles of food being removeably positioned on a transport mechanism for travel in a linear direction and being simultaneously rotated and advanced subjecting the food to a predetermined level of cooking heat wherein the carrier has a predetermined weakened area for improved handling of the food after cooking. A food preparation apparatus having a discharge station allowing finished products to safely exit and not immediately handled by the operator. Because of the magnetic rail system the food-mounting skewer stays in place horizontally (hangs in space,) while pushed further along the rail by the next product. This is extremely useful for operations such as amusement parks and carnivals where the operator's attention is frequently distracted. The food being discharged will simply move along the rail, and wait for the operator, there is no chance of the product falling, or piling up due to lack of operator attention.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a peeled and cooked shrimp product includes the steps of placing peeled raw shrimps side-by-side on a shape setting platter, covering the shrimps with a mesh, cooking the shrimps, removing the mesh from the cooked shrimps, covering the shrimps with a cover, turning assembly of the cover and the shape setting platter upside down, removing the shape setting platter, superimposing a packaging platter on the cover, and turning assembly of the cover and the packaging platter upside down.

Abstract: A method of baking bread from dough including the steps of preparing the dough, rolling out the dough into a flat strip in the range of approximately 1-30 mm, cutting the strip of dough into pieces, baking the flat pieces of dough in an oven for a short time (in the range of approximately 2-8 minutes) at a temperature in the range of approximately 250-270° C. and cooling and, if desired, packaging the flat pieces of baked bread. The method of the present invention saves a great deal of time, energy and labor, and results in an attractive product. The invention also includes the resultant bread and a cutting means for use with the method.

Abstract: A method of defrosting frozen products of the present invention is the method of carrying out microwave heating while reducing the pressure, terminating microwave heating upon detection of a microwave-induced electrical discharge during the microwave heating step, reducing the pressure while microwave heating is in a terminated state to a pressure level at or below a sublimation pressure level to generate sublimation on the frozen products, returning the pressure to a prescribed pressure level to enable microwave heating to be restarted, and repeating the steps from the microwave heating step through the pressure returning step a prescribed number of times.

Abstract: A meatloaf pan with removable, hinged pan insert is disclosed, comprising an elongated, rectangular meatloaf pan and an elongated, rectangular pan insert. The pan insert has two insert side panels that are hinged at their bottom edges to the longitudinal edges of the bottom of the pan insert. The hinges allow the insert side walls to support the meatloaf, bread or other product during baking, and fold downward to allow access to the product for cutting and serving purposes. As such, the present invention can be used as a serving tray. Removal of the pan insert is facilitated in one of three ways. First, built-in hand grips in the flanges located on the pan insert. Second, a set of handles that connect to the flanges located on the pan insert. Third, a sliding unit that slidably inserts into the cavity formed by the rolled edges of the flanges on the pan insert.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating and delivering, orderly positioned, stiff folded baked products, such as taco shells, from a first conveyor (1), the baked products on said first conveyor resting on carrier means (6), which are preferably adapted to the shape of the baked products, a relative motion being imparted to the respective baked products (12) in relation to the associated carrier means (6) by a separating means (13) being brought into contact with the baked product, preferably from below, to separate the baked product from the carrier means before it is delivered to a delivery station. According to the invention, the respective baked products (12) are separated from the associated carrier means (6) by the baked product being caused to slide, during its transport motion (7), towards a surface portion (14) of the separating means (13), which surface portion is inclined relative to the transport motion of the carrier means.

Abstract: The system and method for monolayer alignment snack chip transfer process a snack chip from a first to a second conveyor. By using a roll at the discharge of the toast oven conveyor that has a diameter that is substantially closer in size to the pickup roll of the second conveyor, mechanical devices for lifting the chips off of the toast oven conveyor can be avoided. Further, chip preforms' alignment in passing between the two conveyors is maintained.

Abstract: A device 10 for basting a chicken on a barbeque grill or in an oven includes a base plate 16 and a plurality of rods 20 perpendicularly joined to a top wall 36 of the base plate 16 such that a full beer can 22 may be snugly inserted between the rods 20 until the bottom of the beer can engages the top wall 36 of the baseplate 16 thereby maintain the beer can 22 in a substantially vertical position when opened and inserted with the rods 20 into the posterior end 24 of a chicken 18. The device maintains the beer can 22 and chicken 18 substantially vertical throughout the cooking process to promote the evaporation of the beer from the can 22 into an internal cavity of the chicken 18, thus basting the chicken 18 from the inside to the outside, resulting in a more uniformly basted and cooked chicken 18.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.

Abstract: A method for treating items as the items move along a trough, such as for freezing, drying, or baking food items, includes the steps of placing an item to be treated in an inlet end portion of a trough having sides, a top, and a perforated bottom, the perforations making up between about 0.5% and about 20% of the bottom of the trough. A treating gas is forced through the perforated bottom at a velocity through the perforations and a volume sufficient to elevate and float the item above the bottom of the trough. The item moves along the trough, such as by gravity in an inclined trough or by action of the treating gas against the item, as the treating gas flows against the bottom, around the sides, and over the top of the item to treat the item. The item is left in the trough for a period of time sufficient to complete the desired treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product and process for blanching or cooking food strands wherein the food strand is conveyed through a blanching tank on a conveyor immersed within the tank, wherein the conveyor includes bearing members for allowing the food strand to hang on a plurality of suspenders of the conveyor while forming a plurality of free suspended loops between each adjacent bearing member when operatively arranged to hang the strand.

Abstract: Cooking and simultaneously forming a tostada or taco product in a cooking oil bath by inserting a pliable tortilla between adjacent molds when opened in a clamshell action, then closing the molds and conveying them through an oil bath and then opening the molds and removing the product. While cooking, the product is captured in the space between adjacent molds and permitted to cook into the desired shape. An interchange of conveyor carried molds is disclosed whereby the cooking equipment may process different product sizes and shapes.

Abstract: The cooking chamber is defined at least in part by at least two pairs of oppositely disposed first and second wall structures, each of the wall structures including at least one slot opening for the passage of air therethrough. The rotating valve is in heated air distributing communication with the first wall structure and in return air communication with the second wall structure of only one of the two pairs of oppositely disposed first and second wall structures at a selected point in time such that heated air is passed through the slot opening in the first wall structure into the cooking chamber and return air from the cooking chamber is passed through the slot opening in the oppositely disposed second wall structure and to the rotating valve for return to the heat source.

Abstract: A bread toaster comprising a housing and at least one slot opening for receiving an article to be toasted. The bread is progressively traversed by a linear heat source in a pair of passes. A first pass is at a rate which is sufficient to drive moisture from at least the surface of the bread, but which is insufficient to significantly darken the bread. A second pass is at a rate which is sufficient to darken and toast the surface to a desired degree.

Abstract: A basting apparatus including a rack supporting a basting pan, a grill, and a rotisserie having a spit and means for rotating. The rack is dimensioned to fit between the surface of the grill and the rotisserie and includes a grid and a frame. The basting pan is supported by the rack at an elevation so that when the pan is filled with basting fluid, the surface of the basting fluid comes in contact with the food on the rotisserie. The rack is adjustable to accommodate various sized pans and grills. A heating element is also provided that is located in the rear of the grill in relation to the rotisserie.

Abstract: The present application provides a novel process for the industrial preparation of rice cooked under vacuum, comprising the steps of cleaning, scalding, cooling, draining, drying, frying, mixing with sauces and/or solids, packaging, maceration, and cooking and sterilizing, as described and claimed herein.

Abstract: A method for roasting a fowl utilizing a wire frame for supporting a beverage can in an upright position, the can having at least one top opening and containing a desired flavored beverage. The beverage can is fitted into the frame, opened, and inserted into the central cavity of a fowl that has been cleaned and seasoned as desired. The frame holds the beverage can and the whole fowl in a substantially vertical position for roasting. The frame may be placed over a pan to collect the juices from the fowl as it is roasted. The apparatus is employed by placing the frame, upon which is mounted the beverage can with the desired liquid and the fowl to be roasted, into a heat source. The heat source may be an oven, a roaster, or the surface of a barbecue grill. As the beverage heats during roasting the flavor of the beverage is imparted to the fowl.

Abstract: A system for producing par-baked pizza crusts from dough portions includes a pan adapted to support the dough portions. A lid assembly is positioned to contact each dough portion. The dough portions are par-baked in an oven, while the lid assembly contacts the dough portions, in order to produce par-baked pizza crusts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing bakery products (2). It has an oven (4) closed off by a door (5) and a heating device (7) which heats the oven (4). A delivery device (10,31) is also provided for a fluid (11), along with a discharge element (12) arranged in the oven (4), a storage container (22) and a conveyor device (20) for the fluid (11). A sensor (8, 9) is arranged in the oven (4) for detecting at least one actual value for a temperature in the oven (4) and which is connected to a control device (16). The latter is also connected to the heating device (7), the delivery device (10,31) for the fluid (11) and an energy source (21). At least one other sensor (8, 9) is provided in the oven (4) for detecting an actual value of the humidity and is connected, along with a clock timer (30), to the control device (16).

Abstract: A loader for a conveyorized cooking apparatus having a transverse partition spaced from an endless loading belt. The loader may include several longitudinal partitions defining a plurality of dispensing stations for loading hamburger patties and like food items. The transverse partition is spaced above the endless loading belt by a distance slightly greater than the typical thickness of a patty to be cooked. The endless loading belt has at least one transverse outwardly extending cleat. As the loading belt travels, the outwardly extending cleat comes into contact with the lowermost patty of each stack of patties on the loading belt and pushes the lowermost patty through the space between the transverse partition and the endless loading belt and into the cooking apparatus. A conveyorized cooking apparatus and a method of loading food patties into a conveyorized cooking apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating used cooking liquid from a cooking process includes the steps of removing a portion of the used liquid cooking medium from a cooking vessel and channeling it to a treatment vessel. The treatment vessel is sealable against a pressure that is substantially greater than atmospheric pressure. The cooking medium in the treatment vessel is then subjected to a pressure substantially greater than ambient atmospheric pressure, and it is heated in the treatment vessel to a temperature greater than an atmospheric pressure boiling point for a sufficient time to restore the cooking medium to a condition suitable for cooking. Finally the treated cooking medium is returned to the cooking vessel from the treatment vessel. This method is environmentally useful for significantly reducing wastewater production and “makeup” water usage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing the residual flavor from herbs and aromatics into the interior of meat for seasoning prior to and during cooking. The apparatus are disclosed comprises a reservoir for holding the aromatics in the form of a tapered, split, meat-piercing rod inserted into the interior of meat containing a predetermined amount of aromatics and or herbs. After reaching the desired depth, the devise remains in the meat during the cooking or marinating process. The devise is removed prior to the consumption of the meat leaving behind the residual flavor from the contents of the devise.

Abstract: A grease absorbing system for disposing of excess cooking grease or used cooking oil includes a grease absorbing member. In embodiments of the invention the grease absorbing member comprises an inner portion constructed of a grease absorbent material and an exterior layer enveloping the inner portion or a pair of exterior layers on either side of a plurality of medial layers. The exterior layer or layers are constructed of a grease permeable material for permitting grease to permeate through the exterior layer and into the inner portion or medial layers.

Abstract: A frozen food product which includes a raw protein portion, a raw or an only partially cooked or blanched vegetable portion and a sauce, contained in a sealed cooking pouch made primarily of paper and a susceptor layer, preferably aluminum, which may be placed in an oven or microwave oven so as to cook the contents of the cooking pouch. The raw protein product is preferably one of fish, beef, poultry, pork or veal. The vegetables are raw or blanched vegetables such as julienne peppers, celery, carrots, onions, zucchini or broccoli. The blanched vegetables are only partially cooked so that the time remaining to complete cooking of the vegetables is approximately the same as the time required to cook the raw protein portion.

Abstract: An automated broiling and cutting device for the production of cooked Doner meat. A rotating unit carries meat containers for holding Doner meat to be cooked. The meat containers rotate about the broiling units and the cutting unit. Automated control of cooking and cutting is performed via a central control and adjustment panel.

Abstract: A defrosting method and apparatus for defrosting frozen food products which is based on a pressure reducing chamber in which the frozen food products are placed for defrosting; a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the pressure reducing chamber to a pressure level at or below the sublimation pressure of said frozen food products; a microwave heating unit; and a support jig for supporting said frozen food products.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming IQF shreds of mozzarella cheese into a bead form and depositing the bead on the periphery of a pizza crust for forming a pizza with a cheese stuffed rim. The IQF shreds are heated and then extruded to form the bead placed on the crust periphery via a high speed extrusion head. Heating and extrusion techniques are disclosed that work the IQF shreds into an extrudable mass or paste that, although lacking the desired stringiness quality, reconstitutes upon baking such that stringiness comparable to more expensive string mozzarella cheese is achieved.

Abstract: A pasta and sauce vendor including a hopper storing at least one portion of pasta, a pasta cooker for cooking a portion of pasta received from the hopper, a pasta dispenser for dispensing the portion of cooked pasta received from the pasta cooker, a disposable sauce container having a dispensing tube, a holder for the disposable sauce container that disposes the dispensing tube of the container to dispense sauce directly onto the cooked pasta such that the sauce contacts only the container dispensing tube and the cooked pasta and a vending circuit whereby a payment is received, and, in response to the receipt of the payment, the pasta is cooked and dispensed and thereafter the sauce is dispensed.

Abstract: Oven assemblies and related methods for the cooking of food products are provided wherein a rotating valve is in both heated air receiving communication and return air communication with both a heat source and a specifically constructed cooking chamber. The cooking chamber is defined at least in part by at least two pairs of oppositely disposed first and second wall structures, each of the wall structures including at least one slot opening for the passage of air therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a disposable liner for cooking in a cooking vessel such as a dutch oven. The disposable liner includes a liner and one or more handles at an upper portion of the liner. The liner includes a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall. The one or more handles are made to extend from the upper portion of the liner, wherein the handles are movable. With this arrangement, the disposable liner is configured and shaped to fit in a cooking vessel, where the handles are movable downward so that a cooking vessel's lid may sit flat thereon without interference from the handles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of at least partially cooking food items by exposing them to a heated liquid cooking medium supplied by a cooking medium delivery pump and piping to a cooking zone of a cooker including a control unit which, during a cooking process; (a) controls the temperature of the cooking medium delivered to the cooking zone to a pre-determined setpoint specific for the food items by controlling heat output from a heat exchanger for heating cooking medium throughout the cooking process; (b) controls the rate of convective heat transfer to the food items by directly controlling a sensed condition of cooking medium delivered to the cooking zone, other than temperature which is controlled in step (a), related to the rate of convective heat transfer; and, optionally, (c) controls the rate of convective heat transfer to the food items by controlling a sensed condition of the cooking zone related to the rate of convective heat transfer. Cookers which implement the method are also described.

Abstract: An end plate fabricated from sheet steel for a frameless food blancher having a tank. The end plate has a main portion with opposite sides for being welded to opposite ends of the tank. The plate has leg portions integrally formed with the main portion and which extend downwardly from the blancher. The end plate has a series of holes located and cut precisely by a robotic laser machine. A steel tube is welded in the holes and extends between the end plates at opposite ends of the tank, the tubes acting to rigidify the blancher. A flange is formed by bending along each of the opposite sides of the main portions and their respective legs extending therefrom. The flange is bent at a substantial right angle to the main portion and legs to rigidify the end plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a steel end plate for a food blancher having a tank, which plate has a main portion for being welded to the tank end and an integral leg portion with a lower edge and extending from the main portion. The method provides a steel sheet and automatically cuts out from the steel sheet, the main portion and the integral leg portion. The end plate has opposite side edges and also has holes in said end portion that are substantially located and cut automatically by a CNC laser machine.

Abstract: A convertible rotisserie and grill which includes a housing having a first mechanical interface for removably receiving a grill plate and second mechanical interface for removably receiving a spit. The convertible rotisserie and grill also includes a first heating element for heating the grill plate for grill-style cooking and a second heating element for heating an area in close proximity to the spit for rotisserie-style cooking. A probe activates and controls the temperature of one of the heating elements depending upon the desired cooking style.

Abstract: A baking container for holding dough, which is baked into a product such as bread. The baking container includes a container body, which is formed by molding slurry paper material. A silicone film is formed on the surface of the container body. Therefore, the product is easily separated from the baking container, and the container is easily separated from another container when the containers are stacked.

Abstract: Mixtures of sorbitol fatty acid esters useful as low calorie fat substitutes are prepared through a direct esterification process. The process entails the direct esterification of sorbitol with free fatty acids, optionally in the presence of an esterification catalyst. The resulting sorbitol esters have an average degree of hydroxyl substitution ranging from about 3 to about 5.5. This partial esterification leads to a mixture of esters capable of serving as low calorie fat substitutes without undesirable physiological side effects or the need for additives. Furthermore, the direct esterification process proceeds without the need for large amounts of organic solvents or bleaching agents.

Abstract: A bacon trimmer for trimming cooked bacon slices into substantially uniform lengths comprises: a housing, a transfer comb mounted on the housing, a device mounted on said housing for transferring the cooked bacon slices from a continuous conveyor belt carrying the cooked bacon slices from a cooking device to a first end of said transfer comb, a device for moving the cooked bacon slices across the transfer comb to a second end of the transfer comb and feeding the cooked bacon slices to the same continuous conveyor belt adjacent the second end of said transfer comb, a cutter associated with the housing for trimming the bacon slices into substantially uniform lengths as they are transferred across the transfer comb.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and method for cooking food articles by means of a heated cooking liquid, includes a liquid container for receiving a quantity of the cooking liquid; an electrical heater for heating the cooking liquid; a perforated rotary drum for receiving the food articles to be cooked; and an electrical drive for rotating the rotary drum. The liquid container is selectively movable to a raised position, wherein the cooking liquid therein directly contacts food articles in the drum, or to a lowered position wherein the cooking liquid therein is spaced below the food articles in the drum. The lowered position of the liquid container may be used for steam-heating the food articles, or for pre-heating the food articles before being fried by moving the liquid container to its raised position.

Abstract: A process for internally cooking food includes the steps of injecting a condensable cooking fluid into the interior of the food at a plurality of spaced-apart locations, dispersing the cooking fluid within the interior, and condensing the cooking fluid while in direct contact with the interior. The heat of condensation of the cooking fluid releases considerable heat energy useful for either pre-cooking the food to a desired intermediate cooking level, or thoroughly cooking the food. The heat of condensation of the fluid is high enough that only a small amount of condensable cooking fluid is required, per quantity unit of food being cooked. As a result, the food does not become excessively loaded with cooking fluid, and flavorants such as marinade substantially remain within the food. Where the condensable fluid is used for pre-cooking, the cooking may be thoroughly completed by placing the pre-cooked food in a conventional hot air oven.

Abstract: A segmented elongate, hollow convection pipe formed with an angled mid portion which extends through the body cavity of stuffed poultry during cooking. The device is provided in plural individual sections of tubing that are serially joined in a nested fashion. Overall length of the device can be grossly adjusted by selecting greater or fewer numbers of sections of tubing to form the device, and finely adjusted by telescopically sliding the sections relative to each other. The angled mid portion may be provided as a fixed angle, or provided as a selectively adjustable angle to accommodate anatomical differences in poultry. Overall cooking time of both the poultry and the stuffing is uniform and reduced as a result of cooking from the inside as well as the outside. A method is provided for using the convection pipe to safely, quickly, and uniformly cook a raw, stuffed poultry.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a method of preparing a meat product and, in one embodiment, a method of preparing a beef product from a beef round. The method comprises the steps of cutting a generally solid, generally low fat meat muscle, in one embodiment the beef round, across the grain into two or more muscle portions with each muscle portion having a predetermined thickness. At least one of the muscle portions is cut laterally into a plurality of elongated strips with each strip having a predetermined width and the predetermined thickness. The strips are cooked by placing the strips in hot, deep fat, which is maintained within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined time period so that the outside of each of the strips becomes crispy and golden brown while the inside remains soft and moist. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined thickness is the range of ¼ to ½ inch and the predetermined width is also in the range of ¼ to ½ inch.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided which includes a food support member for supporting a food item thereon. The cooking apparatus further includes upper and lower housings disposed above and beneath the food support member. The upper and lower housings include an upper and lower heating member respectively. The cooking apparatus further includes a control unit which provides for cyclical heating by varying the heating members on and off to cook the food item located on the food support member.

Abstract: A device and a method arc disclosed for indicating the reaching of a temperature within a predetermined temperature range by heated food. The device includes a transparent sealed container including a first compartment containing a first substance and a second compartment containing a second substance. The first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a meltable sealant having a melting point within the predetermined temperature range. The device is partially or fully immersed in the heated food and on reaching a temperature within the predetermined temperature range, the meltable sealant melts enabling the first substance to contact the second substance. The contact between the first substance and the second substance results in a detectable change such as a color change of at least one of the first substance and the second substance. The color change is visibly detectable through the transparent sealed container.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooking snack food pieces features a drum-type fryer which transports individual, die-cut piece preforms through hot oil contained within a cooking tank defined between the periphery of the drum and a housing in which the drum is contained. Vacuum transfer and feed rollers transfer the individual piece preforms from a die-cutting roller assembly onto the drum for cooking, and a similar roller transfers the cooked snack food pieces from the drum to a take-away conveyor for subsequent, downstream processing. The pieces are retained by suction against molding surfaces of frying mold elements distributed over the periphery of the frying drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and pressing mold for producing a baked shaped body using a non-liquid dough blank prepared from grain flour. The method includes the steps of pressing the dough blank between preheated bottom and upper molds to bring the molds to a first spacing that corresponds to a side thickness of the shaped body thereby forming a blank of the shaped body; removing the bottom and upper molds apart to a second spacing that is less than twice the side thickness thereby reducing pressure on the blank of the shaped body and pre-baking the blank of the shaped body under substantially atmospheric pressure; and after the pre-baking compressing the blank of the shaped body between the bottom and upper molds to bring the molds to the first spacing and baking the shaped body with the molds at the first spacing until it is done.

Abstract: The invention relates to packaged, unfilled or filled, precooked pasta foods in portions of between 150 g and 500 g, characterized by being sealed within a sheet which is heat-resistant up to at least 125° C. Oxygen-impermeable composite sheets are preferably employed as the sheets. The invention further relates to a method for the preparation of such packaged pasta foods.

Abstract: Processing techniques for preserving and packaging foods with an extended shelf life that helps overcome the shortcomings of conventional processes. The invention includes four basic innovations—(1) performing the steam cooking and subsequent cooling steps in the same vessel, (2) evacuating the vessel before steam is introduced for cooking, (3) introducing steam into the vessel while the vessel is still under vacuum, and (4) vacuum cooling the cooked food. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the process includes the steps of placing a food product in a vessel, cooking the food product in the vessel with steam and then cooling the cooked food product in the same vessel without exposing the food product to cooling water or other potential sources of external contamination.