Plastic food processing utensils comprising a magnetically susceptible component, methods of using, methods of making, and products and apparatus comprising same

A utensil formed from magnetically insusceptible polymeric material wherein said utensil comprises a magnetically susceptible component at least partially embedded therein.

A baking utensil comprising a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprising a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body.

A method of processing a food product comprising the steps of:

• a) positioning a utensil at a foodstuff depositing station, b) depositing foodstuff onto said utensil, and c) moving said utensil supporting said foodstuff to one or more processing stations, wherein the utensil comprises a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprises a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body, and wherein the moving of step c) is accomplished by magnetically engaging the magnetically susceptible component to facilitate the moving.

An apparatus for processing food comprising:

• a) a utensil b) a transportation device for moving food processing utensils, c) a depositing station for depositing foodstuff onto food processing utensils, d) at least one processing station for processing said deposited foodstuff, wherein the utensil comprises a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprises a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body, and wherein the transportation device comprises a magnetic for magnetically engaging the magnetically susceptible component.

A method of moving a utensil from a first place to a second place, wherein the utensil comprises a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprises a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) magnetically engaging said magnetically susceptible material with a transportation device, and b) moving said utensil from a first place to a second place.

A food product comprising a utensil supporting a foodstuff wherein the utensil comprises a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprises a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body.

A method of making a utensil comprising a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material, and comprising a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) placing magnetically susceptible material in a predetermined position in an injection die, b) injecting polymeric resin into said die, and c) forming a utensil in a predetermined form.

The method of claim 23 wherein said utensil comprises a side, edge, top or bottom surface, and wherein said magnetically susceptible material is at least partially embedded in at least one of said side, edge, top or bottom surface.