A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions.

A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions.

A fruit snack with probiotics that is stable at room temperature is manufactured by combining various ingredients including fruit juices/purees to produce a slurry and cooking the slurry to produce a center that contains a high moisture content. The fruit snack center is covered with a barrier layer which in turn is covered by an outer layer that contains heat sensitive ingredients, such as probiotic cultures. The barrier layer substantially prevents migration of moisture from the center to the outer layer, and the fruit snack is cooled prior to applying the outer layer to minimize damage/harm to the heat sensitive ingredients. In addition to including probiotic cultures and being stable at room temperature, the fruit snack has other desirable characteristics including a chewy soft texture and fruit-flavorings, and may be manufactured using traditional processes.

A fruit snack with probiotics that is stable at room temperature is manufactured by combining various ingredients including fruit juices/purees to produce a slurry and cooking the slurry to produce a center that contains a high moisture content. The fruit snack center is covered with a barrier layer which in turn is covered by an outer layer that contains heat sensitive ingredients, such as probiotic cultures. The barrier layer substantially prevents migration of moisture from the center to the outer layer, and the fruit snack is cooled prior to applying the outer layer to minimize damage/harm to the heat sensitive ingredients. In addition to including probiotic cultures and being stable at room temperature, the fruit snack has other desirable characteristics including a chewy soft texture and fruit-flavorings, and may be manufactured using traditional processes.

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure and a plurality of non-random cavities. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure. In some embodiments, confections may be formed from high-quality chocolate, where the confection has a reduced caloric content with acceptable mouthfeel. In other embodiments, a confection may have a previously unrealized mouthfeel and taste.

An apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate includes a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, wherein the rope of material has an opening that can receive a filler material. The feeder deposits the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder. A former receives the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope. The former shapes the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope. A cutter may axially cut the rope to form the opening. A finisher may cut the shaped rope into portions containing the deposited filler material.

A method includes: acquiring chewing/swallowing information from a sensing device installed on a user, wherein the chewing/swallowing information is related to chewing of the user when the user eats a first printed food; determining based on the chewing/swallowing information, a number of chews made by the user, and determining based on a first print pattern and the number of chews, a second print pattern for a second printed food to be created by a food printer; and transmitting print control information to the food printer via a network, wherein the print control information is used for causing the food printer to create the second printed food using the determined second print pattern.

A method includes: acquiring chewing/swallowing information from a sensing device installed on a user, wherein the chewing/swallowing information is related to chewing of the user when the user eats a first printed food; determining based on the chewing/swallowing information, a number of chews made by the user, and determining based on a first print pattern and the number of chews, a second print pattern for a second printed food to be created by a food printer; and transmitting print control information to the food printer via a network, wherein the print control information is used for causing the food printer to create the second printed food using the determined second print pattern.

A multi-mode flavorant dispenser includes a common pump and reservoir, a first detachable nozzle selectively fitted to the common pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir in a spray pattern, and a second detachable nozzle selectively fitted to the common pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir by a needle injector.

A multi-mode flavorant dispenser includes a common pump and reservoir, a first detachable nozzle selectively fitted to the common pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir in a spray pattern, and a second detachable nozzle selectively fitted to the common pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir by a needle injector.