Abstract:
A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).
Abstract:
A filled snack product includes a first sheet having a first surface. A plurality of filling lines are disposed upon the first surface of the first sheet. Each of the plurality of filling lines are spaced to define a void between each of the adjacent filling lines. A second sheet is disposed over the first sheet and secured to at least a portion of the first sheet to sandwich the plurality of spaced filling lines between the first and second sheets. A plurality of docking holes are disposed upon the first and second sheets. The plurality of docking holes and the plurality of spaced filling lines allow for the pinning of the first and second sheets at the voids disposed between the spaced filling lines and further for the release to steam and/or gas from the filled snack product during heating to minimize puffing of the filled snack product.
Abstract:
The present invention provides improved methods for producing crackers with food particulates adhered to the surface, as well as the crackers produced by the methods. The processes described result in crackers which retain more topping and reduce waste. Moreover, the processes provide optional lower-fat formulations of a sweetened, hand-held food.
Abstract:
In summary, the invention is a method of producing an edible food product. The method includes the step of forming a vessel core (12) with a first material having a first level of susceptibility to heating by induction. The method also includes the step of casting an apron (14) of a second material with a second level of susceptibility to heating by induction lower than said first level around at least a first portion the vessel core (12) in an in situ casting process to form a clad cooking vessel (10) having a cooking surface (24). An uncooked food product is then disposed on the cooking surface (24) of the clad cooking vessel (10) and heated to produce the edible food product by subjecting the vessel core (12) to a magnetic field.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for filling a container with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid. The method includes the step of filling a radially flexible container through a large diameter with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid to a fill level. The method also includes the step of reducing the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container. The method also includes the step of placing a paperboard structure on opposing sides of the radially flexible container to support the radially flexible container during filling.
Abstract:
An aerated food component is disclosed. The aerated food component is formed from a mixture of sweeteners, a fruit concentrate, an ionic hydrocolloid, a calcium source, an edible acid, a cation source, and a whipping protein. Also disclosed is a method for forming the aerated food component. The aerated food component can be used as a semi-moist fruit supplement in a variety of consumer food products. Alternatively, the aerated food component can be extruded, cut into pieces and dried to form a low moisture aerated cereal additive that remains crisp in a liquid. The disclosed formulation also permits high levels of fruit to be incorporated into the aerated food component.
Abstract:
A rotary sizing apparatus (20) to form granola pieces includes a transfer device (32) to move a granola slab and a diversion portion (24) extending along a transfer axis (A) between a receiving end (28) and an exit end (30) for receiving the slab from the transfer device (32). A rotary breaking device (26) is disposed adjacent and in spaced relationship to the exit end (30) for receiving the granola slab. The rotary breaking device (26) is rotatable about a rotary breaking axis (B) disposed above the transfer axis (A), and includes at least one blade (38) for rotatably striking the top side of the moving granola slab to break the granola slab into a plurality of granola pieces. The at least one blade (38) engages the top side of the granola slab during rotation of the blade (38) to establish a breaking angle between zero and forty five degrees relative to the top side of the granola slab.
Abstract:
An article of commerce comprising a bag containing a quantity of particulates. The bag includes a sidewall encircling a longitudinal axis and extending along the axis between a bottom closed end and a top closed end. The opposite sides of the sidewall are brought together to form the bottom closed and the top closed end. Both of the bottom and top closed ends extend acutely with respect to the axis such that the bag is parallelogram-shaped in a plane containing the axis and the bottom closed end and the top closed end.
Abstract:
A seal assembly is disposed in a seal of a flexible bag. The seal assembly includes a first tab, a second tab, a middle layer of peelable adhesive sandwiched between the first tab and. the second tab, a first outside layer of adhesive that adheres to the first side of the bag, and a second outside layer of adhesive that is compatible with the second side of the bag such that second outside layer is heat sealed to the liner. The first tab and the second tab are easily grasped and may be pulled in opposite directions to break the middle layer of peelable adhesive. The middle layer is heat resistant such that the first tab and the second tab do not melt together during the formation of the seal.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a peeled whole dried infused buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with (16) millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then peeled and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from (40) to (80) at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C ± 5° C until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about (40). The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%. The final dried infused cranberry preferably has a Brix of 76 to (84).