o

Sheet punching device and image forming apparatus having the same

A sheet punching device that cuts holes in a sheet while punches are entering die holes, in which a plurality of punch trains along each of which a plurality of punches are aligned on a rotating shaft in parallel with the rotating shaft are disposed in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, and the die holes are disposed in correspondence with the punches of the punch trains.




o

Moving-film display device

A moving-film display device includes a moving-film having fixed and movable ends, and a stationary body having a counter face that is shaped more distant from the moving-film as a position of the counter face shifts from the fixed end side to the movable end side. A colored portion is disposed at the movable end of the moving-film. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on the moving-film between the fixed end and the movable end. A scanning electrode and holding electrode are disposed on the counter face to face the auxiliary electrode on the fixed end side and movable end side, respectively. A signal line is electrically connected to the holding electrode to supply an image signal. A drive section is configured to control voltages to be supplied to the auxiliary electrode, the scanning electrode, and the holding electrode.




o

Offset diecut stack

A stack of alternating sheets includes repeating diecuts offset among the sheets. The sheets may be made from a continuous web using a die to cut the repeating diecuts along the running axis of the web. Individual sheets are cut from the web and stacked with the diecuts offset from each other in turn. The stack of sheets may be loaded into a printer and fed individually therethrough, with the offset diecuts preventing interlocking therebetween.




o

D/A conversion circuit and semiconductor device

A D/A conversion circuit with a small area is provided. In the D/A conversion circuit, according to a digital signal transmitted from address lines of an address decoder, one of four gradation voltage lines is selected. A circuit including two N-channel TFTs is connected in series to a circuit including two P-channel TFT, and a circuit including the circuits connected in series to each other is connected in parallel to each of the gradation voltage lines. Further, an arrangement of the circuit including the two N-channel TFTs and the circuit including the two P-channel TFTs is reversed for every gradation voltage line. By this, the crossings of wiring lines in the D/A conversion circuit becomes small and the area can be made small.




o

Reversible floating punch retainer for punch change retainer tool

A punch change retainer for positioning a floating punch in a retracted, disengage position and an extended, engage position. The change retainer includes a change retainer body and a punch retainer receiving aperture extending upwardly through the change retainer body from a bottom surface thereof. A gagging member is located in the change retainer body and is actuable by an actuator between a retracted position distal from a nose portion of the change retainer body and an extended position adjacent the nose portion of the change retainer body. A floating punch retainer is receivable within the punch retainer receiving aperture, and includes an upper end positioned for engagement with the gagging member. A punch receiving hole is defined in the floating punch retainer; where the punch receiving hole is adapted to be rotatably positioned about a longitudinal center line of the floating punch retainer within the punch retainer receiving aperture.




o

Display device having an improved video signal drive circuit

A display device has a video circuit for pixels arranged in a matrix. The video circuit includes a digital data store section; a transfer-data processing section for generating a data signal at a time assigned to one of gray scale levels for the data in synchronism with a supplied clock; a gray-scale voltage generator for generating gray-scale voltages; a selection gate circuit for successively generating gate pulses associated with the gray-scale voltages, in synchronism with the clock; and a gray-scale voltage selector circuit for receiving the data signal via a selection-data transfer line provided for each of plural columns of the pixels, and for successively selecting the gray-scale voltages from the gray-scale voltage generator, in synchronism with the gate pulses. The gray-scale voltage selector circuit outputs as the video signal, one of the gray-scale voltages selected from the successively selected gray-scale voltages in synchronism with the data signal.




o

Manufacturing method for the hole-punching assembly of a hole-punching unit

An improved manufacturing method for the hole-punching assembly of a hole-punching unit is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: (1) forming a plurality of aluminum balancing pieces with a rectangular shape by extrusion, and forming an indentation area on one side of each balancing piece; (2) forming an elongated slot by an application of stamping on the indentation area of each balancing piece; (3) obtaining a plurality of rectangular pieces (the number of which equals that of the balancing pieces), made of iron, and forming a row of holes by a single application of stamping on each rectangular piece; and (4) fitting each of the rectangular pieces onto the indentation area of a balancing piece, and connecting the balancing pieces together by screws or bolts. The manufacturing method can lower the production cost and simplify the production process of the hole-punching assembly.




o

360 degree rotatable lifter arm for log singulator

The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.




o

Boring device

A punching unit is arranged so that a plurality of punches is grouped into a first group having a predetermined number of punches and a second group containing any one of the punches in the first group and having a smaller number of punches. A punching state of the predetermined number of punches is produced by reciprocating a reciprocating member within a first range and by vertically moving the punches of the first group through the intermediary of cams and followers corresponding to the first group and another punching state of the smaller number of punches is reached by reciprocating the reciprocating member within a second movable range and vertically moving the punches of the second group through the intermediary of cams and followers corresponding to the second group. This arrangement allows the number of punches and dies to be reduced as compared to the prior art.




o

Pressing structure for hole-punching unit

A pressing structure for a hole-punching unit includes an axle, two wrenching pieces, a pole and two pressing pieces, wherein the axle is axially attached to a case of the hole-punching unit, with one end of the axle axially connecting to a control knob, each wrenching piece connecting to the axle near its end, the pressing piece having a spring coil disposed at its middle and pivotally connected to the pole, and the pressing piece having a pair of lapping portions extending from a first side of the spring coil, and a pair of suppressing portions extending from a second side of the spring coil, the lapping portions leaning against an upper edge of the wrenching piece for the control knob to drive the wrenching piece to move synchronously, so as to let the suppressing portions to press the hole-punching assembly and to fasten the hole-punching assembly.




o

Tool selection method for machine tool, control device, and numerically controlled lathe

A tool selection method, for a machine tool, comprising the steps of identifying the maximum tip distance (D2) of a currently selected tool (141), a next designated tool (142) and an intermediate tool (143) disposed therebetween; moving a tool rest (10) in the +(plus)X-axis direction after a machining by the currently selected tool (141) is completed until the tip of the currently selected tool (141) is spaced from a workpiece (W) along the X-axis by a distance provided by adding a clearance distance (E) to a difference between the maximum tip distance (D2) and the tip distance (D3) of the currently selected tool (141); moving the tool rest (10) in the +(plus)Y-axis direction until the tip of the next designated tool (142) is aligned with the rotation center axis (12a) of the workpiece (W) in the X-axis direction; and moving the tool rest (10) in the −(minus)X-axis direction.




o

System and method for tool use management

The present invention provides a system and method for tool use management wherein a CNC machine retains information identifying the tools associated with the machine as well as their current locations (if any), and executes an algorithm for determining the source tools needed by a part program and matching the source tools with the available tools.




o

Journal notebook binding machine

A dual function binding machine for making journal notebooks at home includes a hole punching mechanism and a binding mechanism. A punch die includes a plurality of rectangular punch teeth in a graduated configuration to minimize the amount of force required to penetrate through the journal book materials. A guide provides different positions for punching through covers, inner pages and continuous punching of both. This allows the perfect alignment and fit of the outside covers with the inside pages. A spring biased lever operates the punch die in a horizontal direction. The binding mechanism included in the same machine has a vertical outer vise wall that is horizontally movable to compress the binding material to the pages and covers of the journal notebook.




o

Stamping device for generally flat articles

A stamping device, which in particular is arranged for stamping unfired ceramic substrates, has a die holder device with a plurality of dies, which for activation can be locked to the die holder device and then jointly with it execute an axial stamping motion. A coupling device which is remote-actuated is used for the locking. For the remote transmission of the actuation motion, a flexible mechanical connecting arrangement is used, such as preferably a cable.




o

Multiple punch and die assembly providing hand disassembly, punch length adjustment and replacement

A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector which is a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.




o

Fabrication method of multi-domain vertical alignment pixel structure

A fabrication method of a multi-domain vertical alignment pixel structure includes providing a substrate, forming a gate on the substrate, and forming an insulating layer on the substrate. A channel layer and a semiconductor layer are formed on the insulating layer. A source, a drain, and a capacitor-coupling electrode are formed. A passivation layer is formed to cover the source, the drain, a part of the channel layer, and a part of the semiconductor layer. A via hole is formed in the passivation layer to expose the drain, and a trench is formed in the passivation layer and the insulating layer. A lateral etched groove on the sidewall of the trench is formed to expose the side edge of the semiconductor layer. A first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode are formed on the passivation layer at both sides of the trench, respectively.




o

Method and an apparatus for performing a program controlled process on a component

A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by commands generated by off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected.




o

Refrigerator, monitoring system having refrigerator and control method thereof

A refrigerator for monitoring the status of another space by means of a display device mounted to the refrigerator, a monitoring system having the refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator includes a body which is formed with a storage chamber, a door for opening and closing the storage chamber, and a display device which is mounted to a front side of the door, the display device having a receiving part for receiving a monitoring image signal from a predetermined outside signal supply source, an image signal processing part for processing the received monitoring image signal, a display part for displaying the monitoring image signal and a control part for controlling the image signal processing part so that the received monitoring image signal is displayed on the display part.




o

Multi-well sample plate cover penetration system

An apparatus for penetrating a cover over a multi-well sample plate containing at least one individual sample well includes a cutting head, a cutter extending from the cutting head, and a robot. The cutting head is connected to the robot wherein the robot moves the cutting head and cutter so that the cutter penetrates the cover over the multi-well sample plate providing access to the individual sample well. When the cutting head is moved downward the foil is pierced by the cutter that splits, opens, and folds the foil inward toward the well. The well is then open for sample aspiration but has been protected from cross contamination.




o

Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of circuit patterns

The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus for inspecting defects in patterns formed on a semiconductor device, on the GUI of which for the confirmation of the inspection results an area is provided for displaying any one of or facing each other the features amount of defects, and the image during inspection or the reacquired image, and on the GUI of which a means is provided for setting the classification class and importance of the defects, and based on the classification class and the importance of the defects information set by this setting means, the classification conditions or the defect judging conditions are automatically or manually set so that the inspection conditions may be set easily.




o

Tool selection method for machine tool, control device, and numerically controlled lathe

A tool selection method, for a machine tool, comprising the steps of identifying the maximum tip distance (D2) of a currently selected tool (141), a next designated tool (142) and an intermediate tool (143) disposed therebetween; moving a tool rest (10) in the +(plus)X-axis direction after a machining by the currently selected tool (141) is completed until the tip of the currently selected tool (141) is spaced from a workpiece (W) along the X-axis by a distance provided by adding a clearance distance (E) to a difference between the maximum tip distance (D2) and the tip distance (D3) of the currently selected tool (141); moving the tool rest (10) in the +(plus)Y-axis direction until the tip of the next designated tool (142) is aligned with the rotation center axis (12a) of the workpiece (W) in the X-axis direction; and moving the tool rest (10) in the −(minus)X-axis direction.




o

Multiple punch and die assembly providing hand disassembly, punch length adjustment and replacement

A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector as a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.




o

Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug

Devices capable of deterring or preventing bulk extraction of drugs from, for example, drug-delivery systems are exemplarily disclosed. In one embodiment, such a device may include a package releasably retaining a drug and an agent. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The cell package is configured such that an amount of the drug is selectively releasable with respect to the agent when the package is operably proximate to an encoded key. The package, however, may be configured to impose a relatively high likelihood that either the drug will not be accessed or the drug will be contaminated by the agent if access to the contents of the package is sought without the use of an encoded key.




o

Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug

A method of enabling administration of a drug includes determining, within a drug-transfer device including cells, a location of at least one cell and generating information identifying the determined location. A user may be provided with the drug-transfer device. The drug is retained within the at least one cell when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. The method also includes encoding a key with the information and providing the user with the key before, after or when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. Drug retained within the at least one cell is selectively releasable when the key is operably proximate to the drug-transfer device and is encoded with the information. The key can be encoded with the information before and/or after being provided to the user. In some embodiments, the key is encoded based on instructions transmitted over a network.




o

Verification of a portable consumer device in an offline environment

A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.




o

Multi-dimensional print cutting head

An apparatus and article for cutting print media associated with a printing process. A media cutting logic-controlled head is incorporated into printing hardware. The cutting head is provided with a plurality of cutting devices that may be implemented in the form of cutting pins. Control logic is provided to individually control an extension or actuation of each of the cutting devices. Multiple cutting devices may be simultaneously extended and retracted or activated and deactivated, to cut the media at multiple locations. The cutting head can be integrated with any of existing printers transforming a printer into a media cutting device capable of cutting two-dimensional complex shapes at the full line speed without requiring change in speed or reversal of the media at any point.




o

Multiple punch and die assembly providing hand disassembly, punch length adjustment and replacement

A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector as a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.




o

Verification of a portable consumer device in an offline environment

A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.




o

Blanking die with device for replacing at least one punch

A sheet metal blanking die has a lower and an upper part and guide columns for maintaining the parts aligned. The upper part presents a plurality of punches which project downwards from it, when the die is closed by a press. Recesses are present on the flat lower portion to receive the respective punches at the moment of blanking. For one punch a rapid replacement device can be provided, including a chamber within which a loader can move presenting two cavities of vertical axis to receive relative punches. By moving the loader a punch can be selected for transfer from a rest position to an operative blanking position.




o

Sheet hole punching device

A sheet hole punching device has a device frame bearing-supporting a plurality of punching members, a driving rotation shaft, a drive motor, a gear mechanism transmitting a rotation of the driving rotation shaft, cam mechanisms converting the rotational movement into vertical movement, and a motor control device. The gearing mechanism includes drive gears fixed on the driving rotation shaft and receiving gears to engage with the drive gears to transmit the rotational movement to the punching members. The cam mechanism includes cylindrical cams formed integrally to the punching members and cam followers fixed to the device frame. The cylindrical cams are provided with V-shaped groove cams to reciprocate the punching members between an upper dead point and a lower dead point. The punching members are rotated in one direction to punch holes in a sheet, and subsequently rotated in a reverse direction to punch holes in a following sheet.




o

Sheet hole punching device

A sheet hole punching device has a device frame; a plurality of punching members arranged in first and second groups, and arranged linearly on the device frame; a driving rotation shaft; a driving motor reciprocally rotating the driving rotation shaft; a gear mechanism transmitting a rotation of the driving rotation shaft; cam mechanisms converting the rotational movement; and a motor control device. The gearing mechanism includes drive gears disposed on the drive rotational shaft, and receiving gears disposed on the punching members to engage with the drive gears. The cam mechanisms include cam followers and cylindrical cams. The cylindrical cam has a V-shaped groove cam to reciprocate each of the punching members between an upper dead point and a lower dead point. The punching members are rotated in one direction to punch holes in first sheets, and subsequently rotated in a reverse direction to punch holes in following sheets.




o

Method and system for mass production of variable shaped products

A computerized system, method, and computer-readable media implementing a method for mass producing variable shaped printed products is presented. A set of cutlines defining a shape for the ordered item is associated with each ordered item. A ganging system selects a plurality of ordered items to be simultaneously produced. Individual cutter-ready outline files corresponding to the associated set of outlines for each of the items selected for production are rendered and inserted into a gang template to generate an aggregated cutlines gang file. The gang file and at least one sheet of substrate are submitted to a cutting system. The cutting system cuts the individual finished products from the substrate sheet(s).




o

Switchable hole punch apparatus

An apparatus for punching holes is provided. The apparatus may include a base movable from a first position to a second position and first and second punch assemblies attached to and movable with the base. The punch assemblies may each include parallel punches movable relative to the base and having an end. The apparatus may include first and second cams fixed to a rotatable shaft and having an engagement portion for engagement with the ends of the respective punches at a predetermined rotation position of the shaft. When the base is in the first position, rotation of the shaft to the predetermined rotation position may cause movement of only one of the punches relative to the base. When the base is in the second position, rotation of the shaft to the predetermined rotation position may cause movement of only the other punch of the punch assemblies.




o

Method and an apparatus for performing a program controlled process on a component

A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by commands generated by off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected.




o

Punch assembly with quick attach punch point and stripper plate removably secure thereon

A punch assembly for a turret punch press having a two piece reciprocally movable punch member that has a punch point insert removably attached to a punch driver that allows replacement of the punch point insert without the need to extract the punch member from its punch guide. A locking assembly having four vertical guideways containing slider strips for coupling the punch point insert to the punch driver ensures precision registration of the punch point insert with its driver.




o

Preservation of the biological activity of undenatured type II collagen

The instant invention is the storage of Type II collagen containing tissue in carbonated water. Such Type II collagen is useful for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis in mammals as well as the treatment of arthritis in mammals. Such Type II collagen is also useful for the prevention of arthritis in mammals. The instant invention is also a method for the preparation of a nutritional supplement that includes the steps of: (a) separating water-insoluble undenatured Type II collagen containing animal tissue from animal tissue not containing Type II collagen; (b) subdividing and sterilizing said tissue under conditions which do not change the original structure of the Type II collagen to produce a subdivided and sterilized product; (c) packaging the subdivided and sterilized product in carbonated water.




o

Use of a polyamine-poor composition for the production of a medical human food

The disclosure relates to a novel use of a food composition for human use, having fewer than 1600 picomoles of polyamines, for the production of a medical food which is intended to combat a syndrome or pathology involving N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2-B.




o

Sweetener compositions

The invention provides a sweetener composition comprising a combination of cellulose and a sweetener carbohydrate formed from a combination of at least two carbohydrates selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose and fructose, and a method for the preparation thereof.




o

Mass distribution device and molding device

The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.




o

Methods for producing multiple food extrudates

An apparatus for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder having screw augers for advancing a plastic food mass, a head or manifold for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams each in turn in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head having a plurality of die ports. Each subpassage is separately supplied an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports. In a preferred form, first and second substreams are intermixed in a non-homogenous manner before reaching the exit ports. The extrudates are severed into individual pieces by a rotary cutter.




o

Gum manufacturing system with loafing and conditioning features

Gum manufacturing machinery and method of manufacturing gum is illustrated in which a gum loafing machine generates loaves of finished gum that are then subsequently run through a gum conditioner to more uniformly set the temperature and viscosity of the gum material prior to further processing. Upon achieving the appropriate conditioning level, a further forming extruder may be used to generate a continuous gum ribbon for subsequent rolling and scoring operations. The gum conditioner may include vertically stacked conveyors that have different operational modes including a first mode that provides a serpentine path for a long residence time and a second mode that provides a cascading path that avoids or bypasses much of the length of some of the conveyors to provide a shorter residence time. The gum manufacturing machinery may be used in an adjustable manner so as to accommodate difference gum recipes for different batches of gum product.




o

Method for production of an alcoholic beverage with reduced content of alcohol

A method for production of an alcoholic beverage with reduced content of alcohol involving treating unfermented beverage starting solution with glucose oxidase and glucose isomerase.




o

Production of cottage cheese by using Streptococcus thermophilus

A method for producing cottage cheese by using Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria.




o

Universal and restrictive enclosures for safely repressurizing sparkling wines and other carbonated beverage

The present disclosure is related to illustrative embodiments of an apparatus and method for maintaining carbonation of sparkling beverages, such as sparkling wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas and coffee. A transparent, shatter-resistant, height-adjustable carbonation enclosure is used to contain an opened bottle of a sparkling beverage. An air-tight carbonation cap with a built-in one-way valve is used to re-carbonate the beverage inside the bottle using a pressurized gas source. The base of the carbonation enclosure includes a platform that may be used to adjust the effective height of the enclosure to fit the height of the bottle and provide an air-tight interface between an opening of the bottle and the carbonation cap. The carbonation enclosure further includes a number of openings to open air to prevent pressurization of the carbonation enclosure. Another illustrative embodiment includes a safety enclosure for multiple bottles pressurized directly by conical nozzles.




o

Absorbent food pad and method of using same

The present invention provides a food preservation system that includes an absorbent food pad that has absorbent material to absorb exuded liquids from a food product, and has an oxygen scavenging system to modify the atmosphere in the food package. Also described is a method of using the absorbent food pad to enhance appearance of the food product and extend shelf life.




o

Puffed oat based breakfast cereal of enhanced salty flavor perception and method of preparation

Methods of preparation and improved oat based puffed R-T-E or breakfast cereal products resulting there from with reduced sodium levels that provide good cooked grain flavor relative to other low or no sodium cooked cereal products and that approach the quality of higher sodium level products are provided. The methods include formulating cooked cereal doughs with minimal levels of sodium chloride and including a blend of potassium chloride and choline chloride. The cooked cereal dough is formed into pellets and gun puffed to form puff products having a total pyrazine content of at least 200 ppm. The puffed products are topically coated with saline solution and dried to provide the present improved low sodium high flavor finished breakfast cereal products.




o

Method for producing bread from aerated dough

The components of the dough recipe are mixed in a dough mixing apparatus (2). The resulting dough is divided into portions, each of which is aerated to produce aerated dough. Mixing and aerating are performed by separate devices. Aeration is performed at a pressure no less than 0.3 MPa, and the pressure is then reduced to atmospheric at a controlled rate of 0.02-0.2 MPa/s. The lowering of pressure to atmospheric occurs either before or after the removal of the aeration device (6) from the dough. The aeration process is performed in baking molds (1), or in intermediate vessels (16), and the dough is subsequently transferred to the molds (1). The transfer occurs either into the molds (1) under atmospheric pressure, after lowering the pressure in the intermediate vessels (16) to atmospheric, or into the molds (1) under increased pressure, where the pressure is decreased to atmospheric after the transfer is completed. The claimed invention simplifies and increases the accuracy of dividing the dough into portions of a specified weight, enhances the quality of the aerated dough, reduces energy consumption and increases production efficiency.




o

Method of preparing soybean mixed powder, method of preparing a solidified soybean food, and a method of preparing a packaged raw material for preparing a solidified soybean food

A method of preparing soybean mixed powder comprising a soybean powder having properties wherein formation of agglomerate is small when the powder is added to water and then heated with stirring to dissolve the powder.




o

Process for reducing oil and fat in cooked food with pea protein

A process for cooking a food in oil and/or fat is provided. A dry pea protein mixture or an aqueous pea protein is added to a food prior to cooking. The amount of oil and/or fat absorbed by the food during cooking is substantially reduced.




o

Sweetener compositions

The invention provides a sweetener composition comprising a combination of cellulose and a sweetener carbohydrate formed from a combination of at least two carbohydrates selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose and fructose, and a method for the preparation thereof.