Abstract:
The present invention provides snack-sized or accompaniment food items with cracker texture, appearance and flavor on one side, and pretzel texture, appearance and flavor on the other side. Efficient processes are also provided for making such food items, wherein a dough is treated so as to create a dual texture. Superior intermediates and end products are therefore also provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a creme filling that is fortified with the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, or a mixture thereof and is room temperature stable for at least 4 months and more preferably for at least 8 months. It has been found that these omega-3 fatty acids can be stabilized by using in the creme filling a stabilizer fat and/or oil having a high saturated fat level of from 30 to 55%. The creme filling finds wide use in a variety of food products and provides the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to these foods.
Abstract:
In general terms, this invention provides nut butter compositions and methods for preparing the disclosed nut butter compositions. In preferred embodiments, the nut butter composition or method is a peanut butter. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preparing a gelled peanut butter composition comprising the steps of: blending peanut butter, emulsifier, sugar alcohol and triglyceride-based stabilizer so as to create a first blend; blending starch with the first blend to create a second blend; resting the second blend until a gel is formed, wherein the peanut butter is not more than 85°F and 65-85%, the emulsifier is 0.15-0.5%, the sugar alcohol is 5-30%, the triglyceride-based stabilizer is 1-5%, and the starch is 1-5%.
Abstract:
A container of the present invention is designed for shipping and holding various items. The container (10) is formed from a blank of a material, such as corrugated material, plastic, paperboard, etc. and includes side panels extending between a top portion and a bottom portion. A tear line (30) extends around the side panels for disengaging the top portion from the container thereby exposing all of the items extending along the side panels. An improved configuration of the perforations or slits (32,34) along the tear line prevents the corners defined between the side panels from being damaged and deformed and provides for smooth tearing of the tear line from the container. A second tear section (40) is defined in the a portion of the container by a perforation line (44) with the tear section being separable from said portion thereby partially exposing the items contained in the container.
Abstract:
Disclosed are processes for stabilizing omega-3 fatty acids for use in food products. The processes permit creation of a variety of food forms and food ingredients that contain omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid wherein these foods and food forms are stable for months without developing fishy aromas or tastes. This stability enables the incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids into food forms such as ready to eat cereals, trail mixes, chips, granola bars, toaster pastries, baked goods, cooldes, crackers, fruit pieces and fruit leathers. The processes utilize a zein coating to protect and stabilize the omega-3 fatty acids.
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).
Abstract:
The invention provides a stackable bulk transport container. The stackable bulk transport container includes a first bulk container that includes a flexible container filled with particulate material and wrapped in stretch wrap. The flexible container of the first bulk container is wrapped such that the stretch wrap is applied substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a planar member positioned on the first bulk container. The planar member defines a substantially planar surface that engages the first bulk container. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a second bulk container positioned on the planar member. When the second bulk container is positioned on the planar member, the planar member flattens and expands the top portion of the first bulk container to enhance the stability of the stackable bulk transport container.
Abstract:
The invention provides a container including a front panel (12) and a back panel (14) spaced from the front panel. The container also includes first and second side panels (16, 18) connecting the front and back panels. The container also includes at least one area of weakness (24) on at least one of the front back and side panels. The container also includes a wrapping material extending around a portion of the container deforming the at least one area of weakness (24) relative to the other of the panels. After wrapping, the container has a predetermined shape formed by deforming the area of weakness relative to the remainder of the container.
Abstract:
The subject invention relates to a vacuum wand assembly (10) for extracting a product (12) from a container (14), especially a non-self supporting container that collapses as the product is extracted. The assembly (10) includes a wand for extending into the container (14) and for withdrawing the product (12) therefrom. A vacuum source (18) is connected to the wand (16) for applying a vacuum to extract the product through the wand (16). A supporting structure (24) supports the wand (16) and is moveable relative to the container (14) for carrying the wand (16) as the product (12) is extracted from the container (14). The wand (16) is limited in a vertical direction by the supporting structure (24). This keeps the wand (16) at the pre-determined level relative to the product within the container (14).
Abstract:
The subject invention relates to a system and method for manufacturing aerated confections, more specifically, multi-colored aerated confections. The system includes a mixer for mixing ingredients into a mixture, a cooker downstream from the mixer, and a buffer vessel to hold the mixture. A vessel pump transports the mixture from the buffer vessel to an aerator station. The aerator station comprises a single aerator and a plurality of additive stations. After aerating the mixture, a manifold divides the mixture into a plurality of streams and pumps the streams to the additive stations. Each of the plurality of streams has a control pump to pump the mixture from the aerator in predetermined portions. An extruder is positioned downstream from the additive stations and in fluid communication with each of the streams to extrude the predetermined portions into the aerated confection.