The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of frozen instant cooking pasta from elongated dried pasta products that substantially retains the pre-processing length of the dried pasta comprising the steps of: (i) dividing an elongated dried pasta products into one or more portions, each portion having a desired mass; (ii) loading each portion of pasta into one of a plurality of separate dosing devices; (iii) re-hydrating each portion of pasta within a dosing device; (iv) quenchi...

The specification discloses a system and process for producing discrete chilled products having preselected weights from a semi-fluid mixture. The semi-fluid mixture is pumped along a distribution path to an extrusion manifold which extrudes a continuous sheet of the mixture. The continuous sheet is directed through a chilling station where it is chilled and firmed such that the sheet maintains its extruded cross-sectional configuration. A plurality of slicers continuously slice the continuous s...

The specification discloses a system and process for producing discrete chilled products having preselected weights from a semi-fluid mixture. The semi-fluid mixture is pumped along a distribution path to an extruding manifold which extrudes a plurality of parallel continuous lengths of the mixture. The continuous lengths are directed through a chilling station in a parallel relationship in order to chill and firm the lengths such that the lengths maintain their extruded cross-sectional configur...

The invention relates to an apparatus for making frozen confections. Several embodiments of a nozzle are disclosed. Each nozzle includes a first conduit disposed internally of a second conduit. The first and second conduits are adapted to dispense viscous frozen ingredients. In one embodiment, apertures in the outer second conduit are used to introduce at least a third liquid ingredient. In another embodiment, separate third conduit members are used to dispense at least a third liquid ingredient...

Apparatus for thawing frozen food without cooking by producing a homogeneous mixture of steam and air with a dewpoint of 170.degree. F or lower and a mixture temperature below 212.degree. F, external to a thawing chamber, and forcing the steam-air mixture to flow towards the top and bottom surfaces of frozen food supported in the thawing chamber. Apparatus for reconstituting frozen food in three distinctly different steps: 1. A hot gas heats a food chamber to the serving temperature of food. The...

Frozen foodstuffs are defrosted under an atmospheric pressure between about 2 atm. and 5 atm. using a liquid or gaseous environment at a defrosting temperature, thereby retaining the cellular structure, texture and appearance of the foodstuffs during defrosting. When the liquid is water, the foodstuffs may be maintained under pressure by immersing them to a depth in excess of 10m, while the medium is preferably a non-oxidizing gas or a gas capable of excluding atmospheric oxygen, preferably carb...

A frozen dough conditioner for preventing freezing damage, such as reduced loaf volume of bread and deteriorated texture and taste, on the frozen dough caused in freezing and thawing processes. Preferably, the conditioner composition is in the form of a powdery or granule conditioner for admixture with a dough composition to be frozen. The composition preferably is prepared by spraying and drying an aqueous solution or dispersion having a pH of about 4 to about 9, wherein the aqueous solution or...

A rack for supporting frozen pizzas includes a structure having top, bottom, side and rear structural members with a frontal opening for insertion therein of horizontally oriented frozen pizzas. A plurality of vertically stacked supporting members are aligned in pairs and oriented parallel to the side walls of the structure, the members forming shelves providing surfaces for storage of pizzas in the rack. The top, bottom, side and rear walls may each be formed from a series of continuous horizon...

A device for masticating frozen foodstuffs such device having a housing; a motor installed inside the housing; and an inlet portion for introducing foodstuffs therein connected to a masticating chamber. A plunging device is attached such that a piston is inserted into the inlet hopper to move the frozen foodstuffs into the masticating chamber. A masticating element is contained within the masticating chamber and is connected to the motor. This masticating element is formed with a threaded mastic...

A method, system, and computer program product that enable integrated scheduling and management of frozen images for backup and recovery purposes. Frozen images are created, cataloged, and managed in accordance with a backup policy including a schedule for generating frozen images. Minimal data are saved to allow fast synchronization of the persistent frozen images with production data, and frozen images are cataloged in a catalog that may include entries for other types of backups to provide a ...