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OwnerWilliam E. Archibald, Dean F. Funk +1inventors
InventorsWilliam E. Archibald, Dean F. Funk, Robert J. Harrison
Estimating the term…
A packaged food article, comprising a package maintaining at least a partial vacuum and having at least a portion being flexible; and at least one food piece disposed therein in the form of a shaped solid composite mass comprising an aggregate base having a quantity of food particles, wherein at least a portion of the food piece is in conforming contact with the flexible package portion and wherein the food piece has a water activity of 0.45 or less is disclosed. In one embodiment the packaged food article further comprises binder. In most embodiments, the binder comprises 25% or less, by weight, of the product, resulting in a product that is less sweet than other grain-based handheld food products, yet retains a chewy texture. In another embodiment, highly oxygen sensitive ingredients are used as a food ingredient. The resulting product has a very long shelf life, maintaining its full color, texture and flavor for at least 3 months, up to about 12 months. Additionally, most of the frangible ingredients remain whole and there is minimal, if any, waste during manufacturing as no trimming is required.
A packaged food article, comprising:
4 The packaged food article of claim 2 wherein the binder comprises less than 10%, by weight, of the package.
10 The package of claim 1 wherein the quantity of food particles includes a grain-based frangible food ingredient comprising a plurality of frangible pieces and the base further comprises a second dry ingredient.
The packaged food article of claim 10 wherein the plurality of frangible pieces are RTE cereal pieces.
The packaged food article of claim 10 wherein the plurality of frangible pieces are selected from the group consisting of chips, pretzels, crackers, and mixtures thereof.
The packaged food article of claim 10 wherein 90% or more of the plurality of frangible pieces are unbroken.
The packaged food article of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the second dry ingredient includes a highly oxygen sensitive ingredient.
A food product comprising:
A method of forming a vacuum packaged food product comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.