A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted region including a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls, thereby softening the targeted region, preferably across a strip width between 16 mm-20 mm, and enabling the sidewalls of the hard taco shell to engage each other without cracking or otherwise breaking the taco shell. As a further result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained during packaging and while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted region including a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls, thereby softening the targeted region, preferably across a strip width between 16 mm-20 mm, and enabling the sidewalls of the hard taco shell to engage each other without cracking or otherwise breaking the taco shell. As a further result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained during packaging and while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

A packaged food product includes a container having at least one dough product and a cup within the container. The cup includes at least one sidewall, a plurality of tapered guide members located at spaced circumferential positions about the sidewall, a bottom wall and an upper annular rim. The rim also defines an opening, opposite the bottom wall, leading to an interior storage cavity of the cup. During initial insertion of the cup into a container, first portions of the guide members are progressively pressed against an interior sidewall surface of the container and assure a proper, level alignment of the cup, preventing the cup from tipping during insertion. With further insertion, second portions of the guide members lead to the rim, with the rim having a diameter which assures a tight friction fit, potentially in combination with a cup seal cover, to an inner diameter of the container.

A sandwich wrap including a flexible, edible sheet that is adapted to enfold an edible filling whereby the resulting enclosing tube has both ends open and an auxiliary support situated under the lowermost open end when the wrap is held vertically for consumption, thus restraining filling from exiting. A method using an assembly frame positions the auxiliary support. Filling is stocked in a capped filling storage tube including at least two components that can be disassembled from inside the edible enclosing tube to give the edible enclosed filling. The food product may include a set of separately enclosed different fillings and each edible enclosing tube may be shaped around the filling storage tube to give a cross-sectional form of a circle sector so that the set forms a right circular cylinder. A seepage container assists assembly in advance of an order to avoid impairment by moisture seeping out of fillings.

A sandwich wrap including a flexible, edible sheet that is adapted to enfold an edible filling whereby the resulting enclosing tube has both ends open and an auxiliary support situated under the lowermost open end when the wrap is held vertically for consumption, thus restraining filling from exiting. A method using an assembly frame positions the auxiliary support. Filling is stocked in a capped filling storage tube including at least two components that can be disassembled from inside the edible enclosing tube to give the edible enclosed filling. The food product may include a set of separately enclosed different fillings and each edible enclosing tube may be shaped around the filling storage tube to give a cross-sectional form of a circle sector so that the set forms a right circular cylinder. A seepage container assists assembly in advance of an order to avoid impairment by moisture seeping out of fillings.

A system for addition to a box for transporting hot food includes a sheet of paper having a fold at a midpoint defining a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top sheet having a length and a width equal to an interior of the box, such that the top sheet fits within the box without being folded, the bottom sheet having a length and a width longer than the interior of the box, such that when the bottom sheet is placed within the interior of the box, edges of the bottom sheet are configured to extend upwards along sides of the interior of the box, a second fold defining a strip of paper above the top sheet, a food-safe laminate coating on an interior surface of the top and bottom sheets, wherein said coating has heat reflecting characteristics and oil-resistant characteristics, and orifices in the top sheet for allowing moisture to escape therethrough.

A system for addition to a box for transporting hot food includes a sheet of paper having a fold at a midpoint defining a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top sheet having a length and a width equal to an interior of the box, such that the top sheet fits within the box without being folded, the bottom sheet having a length and a width longer than the interior of the box, such that when the bottom sheet is placed within the interior of the box, edges of the bottom sheet are configured to extend upwards along sides of the interior of the box, a second fold defining a strip of paper above the top sheet, a food-safe laminate coating on an interior surface of the top and bottom sheets, wherein said coating has heat reflecting characteristics and oil-resistant characteristics, and orifices in the top sheet for allowing moisture to escape therethrough.

The present invention belongs to the field of food processing and human nutrition. It particularly relates to a packed dough product comprising ready-to-use, fresh dough pieces; a dough assembly comprising said packed dough product; a method for preparing them and a method for storing them. The packed dough product has a prolonged lifetime, without compromising the organoleptic properties of the dough pieces. The packed dough product is useful for example for preparing home-delivered dough-based foodstuff, particularly pizzas.

The present invention belongs to the field of food processing and human nutrition. It particularly relates to a packed dough product comprising ready-to-use, fresh dough pieces; a dough assembly comprising said packed dough product; a method for preparing them and a method for storing them. The packed dough product has a prolonged lifetime, without compromising the organoleptic properties of the dough pieces. The packed dough product is useful for example for preparing home-delivered dough-based foodstuff, particularly pizzas.

An expandable triangular pizza storage container with a set of microwaveable triangular trays for the separation, microwaving and serving of individual slices of pizza. The storage container has a series of concentric triangular compartments that are expanded from a flexible polymer, accordion-style container body. The lid also has a triangular configuration with a replaceable compressible gasket, a set of four locking wings extending from each side that frictionally engage a rigid triangular top ring of the container body, and a central vent. The trays may incorporate uniform concave pockets to facilitate crisping of the pizza crust in the microwave and be of a solid or cored design, of microwave and dishwasher friendly material.