WO2019209252A1

WO2019209252A1 - Food product including a binder defining a plurality of voids

Info

Publication number: WO2019209252A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/028883
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ezekiel John Joseph Kruglick; Phung Kim LAM
Original assignee: Xinova, LLC
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

In an example, a food product includes a plurality of food particulates and at least one aerated-binder that binds the plurality of food particulates together. The aerated-binder is a foam that defines a plurality of voids because, as will be discussed in more detail below, the aerated-binder is foamed before the binder is mixed with the food particulates. The presence of the voids in the aerated-binder allows the food product to exhibit a weight ratio of the food particulates to the aerated-binder that is about 1:1 to about 50:1.

Description

FOOD PRODUCT INCLUDING A BINDER DEFINING A PLURALITY OF

VOIDS

BACKGROUND

[001] Enhancing binding adhesion between food particulates without adding ingredients is a highly desirable goal for food products (e.g., packaged snacks). Current adhesion approaches typically involve adding sugar-based binders, such as syrups or similar high- sugar ingredients, that are falling into disfavor with health- seeking customers.

[002] One issue with current syrup-based binders to bond food particulates together to form food products is that the syrup-based binders completely fills many gaps between the food particulates. However, the portions of the syrup-based binder that is filling the central volume of the gaps provides little benefit to adhering the food particulates together.

[003] As such, users and manufactures of food products that includes a plurality of food particulates and a binder continue to seek new food products and new methods to form the food products. SUMMARY

[004] Techniques are generally described that include apparatuses, systems, and methods related to food products. An example food product includes a plurality of food particulates and at least one aerated-binder that binds the plurality of food particulates together. The at least one aerated-binder includes a foam that defines a plurality of voids. A weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one aerated-binder is in a range from about 1:1 to about 50:1.

[005] An example method to form a food product includes aerating at least one binder to form a aerated-binder. The method also includes mixing the aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture. A weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is about 1 : 1 to about 50:1.

[006] An example method to form a food product includes aerating a binder to form a aerated-binder. The method also includes mixing the aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture. The mixture exhibits a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is about 1:1 to about 6:1. Further, the method includes compressing the mixture into a selected shape.

[007] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, examples, and features described above, 5 further aspects, examples, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with0 the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several examples in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an example method to form at least one food product;5 FIG. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a food product formed according to the method of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the average weight required to cause the narrow yam loop to cut more than halfway through the bars of Comparative Examples C to F and Working Example K;

0 FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device that is arranged to control any method that is configured to form the food products disclosed herein; and FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer program product that is arranged to store instructions to form the reinforced containers disclosed herein,

all arranged in accordance with at least some examples of the present disclosure. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other0 examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein.

[Oil] This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, systems, products, devices, or apparatuses generally related to food products. In an example, a food product includes a plurality of food particulates and at least one aerated-binder that binds the plurality of food particulates together. The aerated-binder is a foam that defines a plurality of voids because, as will be discussed in more detail below, the aerated-binder is foamed before the aerated- binder is mixed with the food particulates. The presence of the voids in the aerated-binder allows the food product to exhibit a weight ratio of the food particulates to the aerated- binder is about 1:1 to about 50:1.

[012] In an example, a method to form the food products disclosed herein includes aerating a binder to form a aerated-binder. The method can include aerating the binder using any suitable method, such as mechanically beating the binder, extruding the binder from a nozzle with a pressurized gas, injecting pressurized air into the binder, or any other suitable method for aerating the binder. The method can further include mixing the aerated- binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture. Because the binder is a aerated-binder, the mixture can include a relatively low amount of binder, by weight, relative to the food particulates. For example, the method can include mixing the aerated- binder with the food particulates such that a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the binder is about 1:1 to about 50:1. The method can also include compressing the mixture into a selected shape, such as rolling the mixture into a generally sheet-like shape.

[013] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an example method 100 to form at least one food product, according to at least one example. The example method 100 may include one or more operations, functions or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 105 or 110. The operations described in the blocks 105 and 110 may be performed (or caused to be performed) in response to execution (such as by one or more processors described herein) of computer-executable instructions stored in a tangible and non-transitory computer- readable medium, such as a computer-readable medium of a computing device or some other controller similarly configured.

[014] The example method 100 may begin with block 105, which recites“aerating at least one binder to form at least one aerated-binder.” Block 105 may be followed by block 110, which recites“mixing the at least one aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture.”

[015] The blocks included in the described the example method 100 are for illustration purposes. In some examples, the blocks may be performed in a different order. In some other examples, various blocks may be eliminated. In still other examples, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, modified, supplemented with other blocks, or combined together into fewer blocks. Other variations of these specific blocks are contemplated, including changes in the order of the blocks, changes in the content of the blocks being split or combined into other blocks, etc. In some examples, the method 100 can include compressing the mixture into a selected shape.

[016] Block 105 recites“aerating at least one binder to form at least one aerated-binder.” Block 105 forms the aerated-binder by introducing (e.g., trapping) air bubbles into the binder. As such, the aerated-binder is a foam. Introducing the air bubble into the binder increases the volume of the binder thereby allowing the aerated-binder to bond more food particulates together than if the binder was not foamed. In other words, the food product formed according to the method 100 can include less of the aerated binder, by weight, than a substantially similar food product that includes an unaerated binder that is compositionally the same as the aerated-binder. Further, the aerated-binder is able to strongly bond the food particulates together because, due to the surface tension of the binder, the air bubbles are preferentially located away from the exterior surfaces of the food particulates (e.g., at or near a center of the voids) that are defined by the food particulates (e.g. , the voids are spaced from the exterior surfaces of the food particulates). Locating the air bubbles away from the exterior surfaces of the food particulates can cause the binder to cover substantially all of the exterior surface of the food particulates thereby forming strong bonds between the food particulates and the binder and between the food particulates.

[017] The binder can include any suitable material that is capable of being aerated (e.g., foamed) and capable of bonding the food particulates together. In an example, the binder can include at least one sugar-based binder, such as honey, agave syrup, a thick sugar solution, etc. In an example, the binder can include at least one non-sugar binder, such as a protein-based binder (e.g. , egg albumin). In an example, the binder can include a mixture of at least one sugar-based binder and at least one non-sugar based binder. The amount the binder can foam (e.g., the number and total volume of air bubbles that can be introduced into the binder) can vary depending on the composition of the binder. For example, typically, viscous binders be foamed more than less viscous binders. In an example, some binders (e.g. , protein-based binders) can undergo physical or chemical changes (e.g., denature) during block 105 that allows the binders to be foamed more than other binders.

[018] The binder can be aerated using any suitable method. In an example, the binder can be aerated by mechanically beating the binder. The binder can be mechanically beaten by a kitchen mixer or another suitable mechanical mixing device. Mechanically beating the binder can cause the aerated-binder to exhibit a density that is less than the unaerated- binder. For example, the binder can be mechanically beaten until a density of the aerated- binder (e.g., the density of the binder and the air bubbles, collectively) exhibits a density that is at least about 10% less than the density of the unaerated-binder (e.g., the density of the binder without the air bubbles), such as at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, or in ranges from about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, or about 30% to about 50% less than the density of the unaerated-binder. In an example, the binder can be mechanically beaten until a density of the binder is reduced to a minimum density thereof (e.g., mechanically beating the binder further does not further reduce the density thereof) or until the density of the binder is reduced to a selected amount that is less than the density of the unaerated-binder but greater than the minimum density of the binder. The minimum density of the aerated-binder can depend on at least the rotations per minute (rpm) of the mechanical mixing device, the temperature of the binder during block 105, and the composition of the binder.

[019] Mechanically beating the binder includes mechanically beating the binder for a selected period of time. The period of time that the binder is beaten can depend on a number of different factors. For example, the period of time that the binder is beaten depends on whether the aerated-binder exhibits a minimum density thereof or a density that is between the minimum density of the aerated-binder and the density of the unaerated-binder. The binder can mechanically be beaten for at least about 10 seconds, at least about 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least about 1 minute, at least about 2 minutes, at least about 3 minutes, at least about 5 minutes, at least about 7 minutes, at least about 10 minutes, at least about 15 minutes, or in ranges from about 1 minute to about 3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 5 minutes, about 3 minutes to about 7 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes, or about 7 minutes to about 15 minutes. It is noted that beating the binder after the aerated- binder exhibits its minimum density does not further decrease the density of the aerated- binder. The period of time that the binder is beaten can also depend on the rpm of the mechanical mixing device, the amount of binder that is being mixed, and the temperature of the binder while the binder is being mechanically beaten.

[020] Mechanically beating the binder can include heating the binder to a desired temperature and beating the binder while the binder reaches the desired temperature. In an example, the desired temperature can be slightly greater than room temperature, such as in ranges from about 28 °C to about 40 °C, about 30 °C to about 35 °C, or about 30 °C to about 32 °C. Heating the binder to temperatures that are greater than the desired temperature (e.g., greater than about 32 °C, greater than about 35 °C, or greater than about 40 °C) can cause the aerated-binder to collapse. Further, failure to heat the binder to the desired temperature (e.g., the binder exhibits a temperature that is less than about 28 °C or less than about 30 °C) can make the binder more difficult to foam. The desired temperature can depend on the composition of the binder. Different binders exhibit different desired temperatures. When mechanical beating the binder occurs at a lesser or greater temperatures than the desired temperature, the binder may not achieve the minimum density thereof or may require more time to exhibit the minimum density thereof.

[021] In an example, the binder can be aerated by extruding the binder from a nozzle with a pressurized gas. In such an example, the binder can be disposed in a whipping siphon or another similar device. For example, the binder can be disposed in a container and a pressurized gas can be introduced into the container. The binder and the pressurized gas can then exit the container via a nozzle. The pressurized gas can introduce air bubbles into the binder and cause the binder to expand as the binder is extruded from the nozzle. Extruding the binder from the nozzle can form a aerated-binder exhibiting a density that is at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, or in ranges from about 15% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, or about 30% to about 50% less than the density of the unaerated-binder. The density of the aerated-binder can depend on the pressure of the pressurized gas, the composition of the pressurized gas, the temperature of the binder, and the composition of the binder.

[022] In an example, the pressurized gas can exhibit a pressure of at least about 1 MPa, at least 1.5 MPa, at least about 2 MPa, at least about 2.5 MPa, at least about 3 MPa, at least about 3.5 MPa, at least about 4 MPa, or in ranges from about 1 MPa to about 2 MPa, about 1.5 MPa to about 2.5 MPa, about 2 MPa to about 3 MPa, about 2.5 MPa to about 3.5 MPa, or about 3 MPa to about 5 MPa. It is noted that increasing the pressure or volume of the gas can increase the amount of air bubbles that are introduced into the binder. However, increasing the pressure or volume of the gas can reduce the control over the amount of air bubbles that are introduced into the binder and can increase the complexity of the whipping siphon or similar device.

[023] In an example, the pressurized gas can include at least one of nitrous oxide (N₂0), carbon dioxide (CO2), or any other suitable pressurized gas. It is noted that, with some binders, the pressurized gas can dissolve in the binder thereby changing the taste or texture of the binder.

[024] Extruding the binder from the nozzle with the pressurized gas can include extruding the binder from the nozzle while the binder exhibits a desired temperature. In an example, the desired temperature of at least some binders can be about room temperature, such as in ranges from about 18 °C to about 27 °C or about 20 °C to about 25 °C. Heating the binder to temperatures that are greater than the desired temperature (e.g., greater than 25 °C or greater than 27 °C) can cause the aerated-binder to collapse. Further, extruding the binder from the nozzle while the binder exhibits a temperature that is below the desired temperature can make the binder more difficult to foam. The desired temperature can depend on the composition of the binder. For instance, some binders can exhibit a desired temperature (e.g. , a temperature of the binder that results in maximum foaming) that is greater or less than another binder. Extruding the binder from the nozzle at a lower or greater temperature than the desired temperature can cause the density of the aerated-binder to be less than a minimum density thereof.

[025] In an example, the binder can be aerated through the use of ingredients, such as baking soda. In an example, the binder can be aerated or have the level of aeration modified by manipulating the ambient pressure. In an example, the binder can be aerated using an air injection method. The air injection method can include flowing a pressurized gas (e.g., gas exhibiting a pressure greater than about 100 kPa, greater than about 200 kPa, greater than about 300 kPa, greater than about 400 kPa, or greater than about 500 kPa) from a nozzle into the binder. The nozzle can exhibit a diameter in a range from about 0.25 mm to about 0.75 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, about 0.75 mm to about 1.25 mm, about

1 mm to about 1.5 mm, about 1.25 mm to about 2 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm, about

2 mm to about 4 mm, or greater than about 3 mm. Further, the binder can exhibit a desired temperature of about 25 °C to about 45 °C. In an example, the binder can be aerated using other suitable methods [026] The method used to aerate the binder can depend on the composition of the binder, and the desired amount of foaming. The density of the aerated-binder formed using other methods can be the same as or substantially similar to any of the densities disclosed herein.

[027] In an example, the method 100 can include mixing one or more long-chained stabilizers or emulsifying agents with the binder to form a blend before or during block 105. The long-chained stabilizers are configured to increase the stability of the aerated- binder formed during block 105, increase the amount of air bubbles that remain in the aerated-binder during block 110, or increase the amount of air bubbles that remain in the aerated-binder after block 110 (e.g. increase the amount of air bubbles that remain in the aerated-binder after compressing the food product). For example, the long-chained stabilizer can increase the viscosity of the binder, increase the rigidity of the aerated-binder, etc. In an example, the long-chained stabilizers can include at least one protein. In such an example, during block 105, the protein can denature which increases the rigidity of the aerated-binder. Examples of proteins can include one or more of egg albumin or soluble chickpea protein. In an example, the long-chained stabilizers can include at least one thickening agent or a gelling agent. Examples of a thickening agent or a gelling agent includes pectin, cream of tartar, or a polysaccharide. In an example, the long-chained stabilizers can include a combinations of at least one protein and at least one thickening agent or gelling agent, such as a soluble chickpea protein/polysaccharide solution.

[028] The blend includes significantly less of the long-chained stabilizers than the binder. For example, the long-chained stabilizers can form greater than 0 weight % to about 15 weight %, greater than 0 weight % to about 5 weight %, about 2.5 weight % to about 7.5 weight %, about 5 weight % to about 10 weight %, about 7.5 weight % to about 12.5 weight %, or about 10 weight % to about 15 weight %. The amount of the long-chained stabilizers can depend on the composition of the binder (e.g., less viscous binders can include more long-chained stabilizers), the desired amount of air bubbles in the binder, etc.

[029] The long-chained stabilizers can increase the amount of air bubbles that are introduced into the aerated-binder during block 105 compared to the aerated-binders that did not include the long-chained stabilizers. As such, the long-chained stabilizers can further decrease the density of the aerated-binder relative to the unaerated-binder than if the binder did not include the long-chained stabilizers. For example, the density of a aerated-binder that includes long-chained stabilizers can be at least about 25% less than the density of the unaerated-binder, such as in ranges from about 25% to about 35%, about 30% to about 40%, about 35 % to about 45%, about 40% to about 50%, or about 45% to about 65% less than the density of the unaerated-binder. Further, the long-chained stabilizers can increase the amount of air bubbles that remain in the aerated-binder after handling the aerated-binder (e.g., after mixing the aerated-binder with food particulates, after compressing the aerated-binder, etc.) than if the binder did not include the long- chained stabilizers. As such, the long-chained stabilizers can further decrease the density of the aerated-binder relative to the unaerated-binder after handling than if the binder did not include the long-chained stabilizers.

[030] In an example, the method 100 may not include mixing the binder with the long- chained stabilizer such that the mixture (e.g. , the resulting food product) is substantially free of the one or more long-chained stabilizers. The aerated-binder may still have a sufficient number of air bubbles introduced therein and may exhibit sufficient strength.

[031] Block 110 recites,“mixing the at least one aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture.” The plurality of food particulates defines a plurality of gaps therebetween. Mixing the aerated-binder with the food particulates causes the aerated- binder to occupy the gaps between the food particulates. Because of the surface tension of the binder, the binder coats the exterior surfaces of the food particulates. For example, the binder can substantially coat all of the surfaces of the food particulates if block 110 includes mixing a sufficient amount (e.g. , volume) of the aerated-binder with the food particulates. Substantially coating all of the surfaces of the food particulates with the binder causes the mixture to exhibit food flexural strength. Further, during block 110, a significant amount (e.g., substantially all) of the air bubbles become spaced from the food particulates. For example, a significant amount of the air bubbles are spaced from the exterior surface of the food particulates. Spacing the air bubbles from the food particulates increases the strength of the mixture since it allows for maximum contact between the binder and the food particulates. The air bubbles decrease the amount of binder required to make the mixture. Further, the air bubbles decrease the amount of the binder that is present in the mixture, thereby decreasing the caloric content of the mixture. In an example, the mixture is the food product.

[032] However, mixing the aerated-binder with the food particulates can increase the density of the aerated-binder. For example, mixing the aerated-binder with the food particulates can collapse some of the air bubbles that are present in the aerated-binder or cause the air bubbles to migrate from the aerated-binder. As such, block 110 can be configured to minimize the increase in the density of the aerated-binder. In an example, block 110 can include gently mixing the aerated-binder with the food particulates or only mix the aerated-binder with the food particulates for a minimal amount of time. In an example, block 110 can include folding (as used in baking) the food particulates into the aerated-binder, or vice versa. In an example, block 110 can include adding the aerated- binder to the food particulates in portions (e.g., mixing half of the aerated-binder with the food particulates followed by mixing the remaining half of the aerated-binder with the food particulates). In an example, block 110 can include adding the food particulates to the aerated-binder because it has been unexpectedly found the adding the food particulates to the aerated-binder maintains more of the air bubble in the aerated-binder than if the aerated- binder is added to the food particulates.

[033] The density of the aerated-binder after block 110 can be the same as, slightly more than, or appreciatively more than the density of the aerated-binder before block 110. For example, the density of the binder after block 110 can be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least about 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40 %, at least 50%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 35 %, about 30% to about 40%, or about 35% to about 50% greater than the density of the aerated-binder before block 110.

[034] The weight ratio of the binder (e.g., aerated-binder) that is mixed with the food particulates can be about 1:1 to about 50:1, about 1:1 to about 2:1, about 1.5:1 to about 2.5: 1, about 2:1 to about 3:1, about 2.5:1 to about 4:1, about 3:1 to about 4:1, about 3.5:1 to about 4.5:1, about 4:1 to about 5:1, about 4.5:1 to about 6:1, about 5:1 to about 7:1, about 6:1 to about 8:1, about 7:1 to about 9:1, about 8:1 to about 10:1, about 9:1 to about 12:1, about 10:1 to about 15:1, about 12.5:1 to about 20: 1, about 15:1 to about 25:1, about 20:1 to about 40: 1, or about 30:1 to about 50: 1. The amount of the binder that is mixed with the food particulates can depend on the volume of the aerated-binder (e.g., the number of air bubbles introduced into the binder, the density of the aerated-binder relative to the density of the unaerated-binder) where an increased volume of the aerated-binder decreases the amount of binder, by weight, that is needed to be mixed with the food particulates. The larger volume of the aerated-binder allows the aerated-binder to coat more food particulates during block 110 than an aerated-binder exhibiting a smaller volume. In an example, the mixture can exhibit a weight ratio of the food particulates to the aerated-binder of about 2.5: 1 to about 6:1 or about 3:1 to about 6:1 when the aerated-binder exhibits a density that is only slightly less than the unaerated-binder (e.g., the density of the aerated-binder is about 10% to about 20% less than the density of the unaerated-binder). In an example, the mixture can exhibit a weight ratio of the food particulates to the aerated-binder of about 4:1 to about 10:1 when the aerated-binder exhibits a density that is nominally less than the unaerated-binder (e.g., the density of the aerated-binder is about 15% to about 30% less than the density of the unaerated-binder). In an example, the mixture can exhibit a weight ratio of the food particulates to the aerated-binder of about 5:1 to about 50:1 when the aerated-binder exhibits a density that is significantly less than the unaerated-binder (e.g. , the density of the aerated-binder is about 25% to about 50% less than the density of the unaerated-binder). The weight ratio of the aerated-binder that is mixed with the food particulates can also depend on the composition of the binder and the food particulates. For example, a binder having strong adhesion to the food particulates can form a mixture have relative smaller amounts, by weight, of the aerated-binder relative to the food particulates than a binder that has weak adhesion to the food particulates. It is noted that including more of the aerated-binder relative to the food particularetes than is necessary (e.g., a weight ratio greater than 3:1, such as a weight ratio of about 2.8: 1, 2.5:1, about 2:1, or 1:1) can result in the excess portions of the aerated-binder migrating from the mixture, for example, after a period of time or when mixture is compressed, shaped, or otherwise handled.

[035] In an example, unlike the unaerated-binder, a viscosity of the aerated-binder can decrease as the temperature of the aerated-binder decreases. The decreasing viscosity of the aerated-binder allows the aerated-binder to be more easily mixed with the food particulates and minimizes the amount of air bubbles of the aerated-binder that are lost during block 110. As such, block 110 can include mixing the aerated-binder with the food particulates at a temperature that is less than about 35 °C, less than about 30 °C, less than about 25 °C, less than about 20 °C, about 20 °C to about 30 °C, or about 25 °C to about 35 °C.

[036] The food particulates that are mixed with the aerated-binder during block 110 can include any suitable food particulates. For example, the food particulates can include oats, other grains, seeds, nuts, chocolate (e.g., chocolate chips), fruits (e.g., dried fruits, applesauce), sugar (e.g., unfoamed syrup or honey), one or more seasonings or other flavorings, baking powder, salt, milk, honey, peanut butter or other nut butter, eggs, fats (e.g., butter), or any other suitable food particulate. In an example, the food particulates can be selected based on the composition of the binder, or vice versa, such that the food particulates and the binder exhibit good adhesion. Food particulates and binders that exhibit good adhesion form mixtures that require less binder, by weight, than food particulates than binders and food particulates that do not exhibit good adhesion.

[037] The method 100 can include, after block 110, compressing the mixture into a selected shape. In an example, compressing the mixture into a selected shape can include disposing the mixture into a mold and compressing the mixture such that the mixture corresponds to the shape of the mold. The mold can exhibit any suitable shape, such as a generally box-like shape, a generally spherical, a generally oblong shape, or a generally elongated shape. In an example, compressing the mixture into a selected shape can include rolling the mixture into a generally sheet- like shape. After rolling the mixture, the mixture can be cut into bars. In either example, the mixture can exhibit a strength such that the mixture maintains its shape. In an example, the mixture forms the food product after the mixture is compressed.

[038] In an example, compressing the mixture into a selected shape can collapse at least some of the air bubbles in the binder or can cause at least some of the air bubbles to migrate from the mixture. However, the binder is already strongly adhere to the food particulates before the mixture is compressed because, during block 110, the presence of the air bubbles can cause the binder to coat more of the food particulates than if the binder did not include the air bubbles. As such, removing the air bubbles from the binder after block 110 has little to no effect on the strength of the mixture.

[039] In an example, the method 100 can include, after compressing the mixture into a selected shape, removing at least some of the aerated-binder from an exterior surface of the compressed mixture. For example, compressing the mixture into a selected shape can cause some of the aerated-binder to migrate to a surface of the mixture. The aerated-binder that is at the exterior surface of the compressed mixture, especially clumps of the aerated- binder, may little to no effect on the bond between the food particulates. As such, the aerated-binder that is at the exterior surface of the compressed mixture can be removed (e.g., scrapped off) thereby decreasing the caloric content of the compressed mixture.

[040] In an example, the method 100 can include toasting the mixture after block 110 (e.g., after compressing the mixture into a selected shape). Toasting the mixture can cause a chemical or physical reaction in the binder which causes the binder to become rigid thereby locking the air bubbles therein. Further, toasting the mixture can cause the binder to exhibit a glassy texture which imparts a crunchy texture to the mixture. In an example, toasting the mixture forms the food product.

[041] In an example, the method 100 may not include toasting the mixture. Not toasting the mixture can allow at least some of the air bubbles to collapse or migrate from the aerated-binder. However, as previously discussed, removing the air bubbles from the aerated-binder after block 110 has little or no effect on the strength of the mixture. Not toasting the mixture can allow the binder to exhibit a plastic texture which imparts a chewy texture to the mixture.

[042] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a food product 200 formed according to the method 100 of FIG. 1, according to at least one example. The food product 200 includes a plurality of food particulates 202. The food particulates 202 includes at least one exterior surface 204. The food particulates 202 also define a plurality of gaps 206 therebetween. The food product 200 includes at least one aerated-binder 208 partially occupying the gaps 206. In an example, the weight ratio of the food particulates 202 to the aerated-binder 208 can be the same as or substantially similar to any of the weight ratios disclosed herein. The aerated-binder 208 can be bonded to at least a portion (e.g., substantially all) of the exterior surfaces 204 of the food particulates 202. As such, the aerated-binder 208 can be strongly bonded to the food particulates 202 thereby binding the food particulates 202 together. The aerated-binder 208 can be a foam that defines a plurality of voids 210 that are formed from at least some of the air bubbles that were introduced into the aerated-binder 208 during the method 100. As such, the food product 200 can include less of the aerated-binder than a substantially similar food product 200 that includes an unaerated binder that is compositionally the same as the aerated-binder. The voids 210 can be spaced from the exterior surfaces 204 of the food particulates 202. For example, the voids 210 can be located at or near a center of the gaps 206. The voids 210 can cause the aerated-binder 308 to exhibit a web-like structure.

[043] In an example, the aerated-binder 208 and the voids 210, collectively, exhibit a density that is at least 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, about 10% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, or about 20% to about 50% less than an unaerated-binder that is compositionally the same as the aerated-binder 208. The density of the aerated-binder 208 and the voids 210 relative to the density of the unaerated-binder depends on the amount of air bubbles that are introduced into the binder during block 105 of the method 100 and the amount of air bubbles that are retained in the aerated-binder 208 after block 105 of the method 100.

[044] The food product 200 exhibits a flexural strength as can be determined in a three- point bending test over a specified span with a specified strain rate. For example, the three- point bending test parameters can include a total span of 75 mm, a strain rate of 1 mm/sec, and test tip can be a 9 mm flat chisel tip. The flexural strength of the food product 200 can be calculated using the equation:

_ 3 FL

s⁼ 2 bd²

where s is the flexural strength, F is the maximum load sustained before fracture, L is the length of the test span, b is the width of the food product 200, and d is the thickness of the food product. The flexural strength of the food product 200 indicates the strength of the bond between the aerated-binder 208 and the food particulates 202.

[045] The flexural strength of the food product 200 determined using a three -point bending test can be at least about 30 kPa, at least about 35 kPa, at least about 40 kPa, at least about 45 kPa, at least about 50 kPa, at least about 55 kPa, at least about 60 kPa, at least about 70 kPa, at least about 80 kPa, at least about 90 kPa, at least about 100 kPa about 30 kPa to about 50 kPa, about 40 kPa to about 60 kPa, about 50 kPa to about 70 kPa, about 60 kPa to about 80 kPa, about 70 kPa to about 90 kPa, about 80 kPa to about 100 kPa, about 90 kPa to about 120 kPa, or about 100 kPa to about 150 kPa. A food product 200 exhibiting any of the above flexural strength indicates that the bond between the aerated-binder 208 and the food particulates 202 is strong and that the food product 200 is likely to maintain its shape. It also indicates that a sufficient amount of the aerated-binder 208 was used to form the food product 200. In an example, the food product 200 can exhibit a flexural strength that is similar to the flexural strength of substantially similar food product that was not formed using a aerated-binder. In such an example, the food product 200 can exhibit a flexural strength that is greater than about 50 kPa.

[046] The following comparative and working examples provide further detail in connection with the specific methods and food products disclosed herein.

Working Example A

[047] A proprietary binder exhibiting a density of 1.41 g/ml was mechanically beaten for 3 minutes with a 1200W planetary mixer to form an aerated proprietary binder. The proprietary binder exhibited a temperature of about 30 °C to about 32 °C during the mixing process. The aerated proprietary binder exhibited a density of about 1.04 g/ml. The aerated proprietary binder remained stable after being stored at about 20 °C to about 25 °C for several days. Handling the aerated proprietary binder (e.g. , further mixing of the aerated propriety binder and pouring the aerated proprietary binder from a container into another container) increased the density of the aerated proprietary binder to about 1.21 g/ml. Working Example B

[048] The proprietary binder of working example A was mechanically beaten using substantially the same process as discussed in Working Example A except that the proprietary binder exhibited a temperature of about 45 °C during the mixing process. The aerated proprietary binder exhibited a density of about 1.2 g/ml. Working Examples A and B demonstrates that mechanically beating the proprietary binder at the desired temperature thereof decreases the density of the aerated proprietary binder.

Working Example C

[049] The proprietary binder of working example A was aerated by flowing the proprietary binder out of a nozzle using a compressed gas to form an aerated proprietary binder. The compressed gas included only one of nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide at a pressure of about 1.5 MPa. The proprietary binder exhibited a temperature of about 25 °C during the aeration process. The aerated proprietary binder exhibited a density of about 1.3 g/ml regardless of which pressurized gas was used.

Working Example D

[050] The proprietary binder of working example A was aerated by flowing the proprietary binder out of the same nozzle used in Working Example C using a compressed gas to form an aerated proprietary binder. The compressed gas included a 1 : 1 mixture of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide at a pressure of about 3.3 MPa. The proprietary binder exhibited a temperature of about 25 °C during the aeration process. The aerated proprietary binder exhibited a density of about 1.1 g/ml after the aerated proprietary binder was handled.

[051] Working Examples C and D demonstrate that flowing the proprietary binder out of the nozzle with a higher pressured gas that includes both nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide noticeably decreases the density of the aerated proprietary binder.

Working Example E

[052] A sugar syrup including 74 weight % mono/disaccharides exhibited an initial density of about 1.32 g/ml. The sugar syrup was mechanically beaten using the method disclosed in Working Example A to form an aerated-sugar syrup. The aerated-sugar syrup exhibited a density of about 1.2 g/ml after the aerated-sugar syrup was handled. Comparing Working Example E with Working Examples A to D demonstrates that some binders may need one or more long-chained stabilizers mixed therewith while other binders may not need the one or more long-chained stabilizers.

Working Example F

[053] A sugar syrup including 67 weight % mono/disaccharides and 10 volume % aqueous chickpea protein exhibited an initial density of about 1.3 g/ml. The sugar syrup was mechanically beaten using the method disclosed in Working Example A to form an aerated-sugar syrup. The aerated-sugar syrup exhibited a density of about 0.92 g/ml after the aerated-sugar syrup was handled. Working Examples E and F demonstrates that the one or more long-chained stabilizers can significantly reduce the density of the aerated- binder.

Comparative Example A

[054] Ten bars of a food product were produced by mixing the proprietary binder of Working Example A with a plurality of food particulates. The proprietary binder was not foamed. Each bar included about 7.7 grams (g) of the proprietary binder and 16.1 g of the food particulates. The weight ratio of the food particulates to the proprietary binder was 2.1: 1. The food product was not toasted.

[055] The flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product was determined using a three-point bend flexural strength test seven days after manufacturing the ten bars. The three-point bend flexural strength test had a total span of 75 mm, a 9 mm flat chisel tip, and a strain rate of 1 mm/second. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 58 kPa.

Comparative Example B

[056] Ten bars of a food product were produced by mixing the proprietary binder of Working Example A with a plurality of food particulates. The proprietary binder was not foamed. Each bar included about 5.8 grams (g) of the proprietary binder and 16.7 g of the food particulates. The weight ratio of the food particulates to the proprietary binder was 3:1. The food product was not toasted. The flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product were determined using the three-point bend flexural strength test of Comparative Example A. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 45 kPa. Working Example G

[057] Ten bars of a food product were produced by mixing the proprietary binder of Working Example A with a plurality of food particulates. The proprietary binder was foamed according the method discussed in Working Example A. Each bar included about 6.4 grams (g) of the proprietary binder and 16.6 g of the food particulates. The weight ratio of the food particulates to the proprietary binder was 2.6: 1. The food product was not toasted. The flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product were determined using the three-point bend flexural strength test of Comparative Example A. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 58 kPa. Working Example H

[058] Ten bars of a food product were produced by mixing the proprietary binder of Working Example A with a plurality of food particulates. The proprietary binder was foamed according the method discussed in Working Example D. Each bar included about 5.8 grams (g) of the proprietary binder and 16.7 g of the food particulates. The weight ratio of the food particulates to the proprietary binder was 3:1. The food product was not toasted. The flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product were determined using the three-point bend flexural strength test of Comparative Example A. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 54 kPa.

[059] Comparing Working Examples G and H with Comparative Example A demonstrates that using the aerated proprietary binder forms a food product is comparable to the food product formed from the unaerated-binder. Further, comparing Working Examples G and H with Comparative Example B demonstrates that the aerated proprietary binder forms a food product that is noticeably stronger than the food product include a similar amount, by weight, of the proprietary binder that is not foamed.

Working Example I

[060] Ten bars of a food product were produced according to the same method as Working Example G. The flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product were determined on the same day that they were manufactured using the three-point bend flexural strength test of Comparative Example A. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 58 kPa.

Working Example J

[061] Ten bars of a food product were produced according to the same method as Working Example G. Each of the ten bars of the food product were heat sealed in a metalized PET pouch for seven days after they were manufactured. After seven days, each of the ten bars were removed from the pouches and the flexural strength of each of the ten bars of the food product were determined using the three-point bend flexural strength test of Comparative Example A. The average flexural strength of the ten bars of the food product were determined to be about 60 kPa.

[062] Working Examples I and J demonstrate that any void collapse or other time dependent change that may have occurred in the ten bars of the food product does not negatively affect the overall flexural strength of the bars. In other words, any void collapse or other time dependent change that may have occurred does not affect the strong bond between the proprietary binder and the food particulates.

Comparative Example C

[063] A mixture was formed by mixing 40 g of unfoamed Agave syrup with 80 g of Quaker Old Time style steel cut oats (the base recipe). The mixture was pressed into a mold to form two bars of a food product. The two bars were toasted in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 °F.

[064] The adhesion strength of the two bars was tested by placing each bar sequentially on a 2x4 wood beam that was suspended above a surface. A narrow yam loop was placed around the bar and the 2x4 wood beam. Weights were added in 0.25 pound increments to the narrow yam loop until the weight was sufficient to cause the narrow yarn loop cut more than halfway through the bar. The weight that cause the narrow yam loop to cut more than halfway through the bar indicated the adhesion strength of the bar. The average weight required to cause the narrow yam loop to cut more than halfway through the bar was about 4 pounds.

Comparative Example D

[065] A mixture was formed by mixing 20 g of unfoamed Agave symp with 80 g of Quaker Old Time style steel cut oats. The mixture was pressed into a mold to form two bars of a food product. The two bars were toasted in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 °F. The adhesion strength of the two bars was tested using the same method disclosed in Comparative Example C. The average weight required to cause the narrow yarn loop to cut more than halfway through the bar was about 1 pound.

Comparative Example E

[066] A mixture was formed by mixing 80 g of unfoamed Agave symp with 80 g of Quaker Old Time style steel cut oats. The mixture was pressed into a mold to form two bars of a food product. The two bars were toasted in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 °F. The adhesion strength of the two bars was tested using the same method disclosed in Comparative Example C. The average weight required to cause the narrow yarn loop to cut more than halfway through the bar was about 6 pounds.

Comparative Example F

[067] 40 g of Agave syrup was mechanically beaten in a common kitchen top mixer to form an aerated- Agave syrup. The aerated- Agave syrup was mixed with 80 g of Quaker Old Time style steel cut oats. The mixture was pressed into a mold to form two bars of a food product. A significant portion of the aerated- Agave syrup migrated from the mixture when the mixture was pressed. The two bars were toasted in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 °F. The adhesion strength of the two bars was tested using the same method disclosed in Comparative Example C. The average weight required to cause the narrow yarn loop to cut more than halfway through the bar was about 9 pounds.

Working Example K

[068] 20 g of Agave syrup was mechanically beaten in a common kitchen top mixer to form an aerated- Agave syrup. The aerated- Agave syrup was mixed with 80 g of Quaker Old Time style steel cut oats. The mixture was pressed into a mold to form two bars of a food product. The two bars were toasted in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 °F. The adhesion strength of the two bars was tested using the same method disclosed in Comparative Example C. The average weight required to cause the narrow yarn loop to cut more than halfway through the bar was about 3 pounds.

[069] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the average weight required to cause the narrow yam loop to cut more than halfway through the bars of Comparative Examples C to F and Working Example K. The diamond symbols indicate that the bars were formed from an unaerated- Agave syrup (Comparative Examples C to E) and the square symbols indicate that the bars were formed from an aerated- Agave syrup (Comparative Example F and Working Example K). FIG. 3 also illustrates bars representing one standard deviation of uncertainty.

[070] FIG. 3 illustrates that adhesion strength increased as the amount of binder was increased. FIG. 3 also illustrates that foaming the Agave syrup caused the bars to exhibit better adhesion strength than compositionally similar bars that were formed from unfoamed Agave syrup. For example, Comparative Example F exhibited better adhesion strength than Comparative Example C and Working Example K exhibited better adhesion strength than Comparative Example D. Further, Working Example K exhibited comparable adhesion strength to Comparative Example C even though Working Example K included 50% less Agave syrup than Comparative Example C. Similarly, Comparative Example F exhibited better adhesion strength than Comparative Example E even though Comparative Example K included 50 % less Agave syrup.

[071] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device 400 that is arranged to control any method disclosed herein for forming the food products disclosed herein, according to at least one example. In a very basic configuration 401, computing device 400 typically includes one or more processors 410 and system memory 420. A memory bus 430 may be used for communicating between the processor 410 and the system memory 420.

[072] Depending on the desired configuration, processor 410 may be of any type including but not limited to a microprocessor (mR), a microcontroller (pC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof. Processor 410 may include one or more levels of caching, such as a level one cache 411 and a level two cache 412, a processor core 413, and registers 414. An example processor core 413 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An example memory controller 415 may also be used with the processor 410, or in some implementations the memory controller 415 may be an internal part of the processor 410.

[073] Depending on the desired configuration, the system memory 420 may be of any type including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combination thereof. System memory 420 may include an operating system 421, one or more applications 422, and program data 424. Application 422 may include a control procedure 423 that is arranged to control any of the methods as described herein, such as the method 100 shown in FIG. 2. Program data 424 may include the desired temperature of the binder, and/or other information useful for the operation of any of the methods disclosed herein. In some examples, application 422 may be arranged to operate with program data 424 on an operating system 421 such that any of the procedures described herein may be performed.

[074] Computing device 400 may have additional features or functionality, and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 401 and any required devices and interfaces. For example, a bus/interface controller 440 may be used to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 401 and one or more storage devices 450 via a storage interface bus 441. The storage devices 450 may be removable storage devices 451, non-removable storage devices 452, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDDs), optical disk drives such as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid state drives (SSDs), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.

[075] System memory 420, removable storage 451 and non-removable storage 452 are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by computing device 400. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device 400.

[076] Computing device 400 may also include an interface bus 442 for facilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., output interfaces, peripheral interfaces, and communication interfaces) to the basic configuration 401 via the bus/interface controller 440. Example output devices 460 include a graphics processing unit 461 and an audio processing unit 462, which may be configured to communicate to various external devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports 463. Example peripheral interfaces 470 include a serial interface controller 471 or a parallel interface controller 472, which may be configured to communicate with external devices such as input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via one or more I/O ports 473. An example communication device 480 includes a network controller 481, which may be arranged to facilitate communications with one or more other computing devices 490 over a network communication link via one or more communication ports 482.

[077] The network communication link may be one example of a communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

[078] Computing device 400 may be implemented as a portion of a small-form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an application specific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the above functions. Computing device 400 may also be implemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer program product 500 that is arranged to store instructions to form the reinforced containers disclosed herein, according to at least one example. The signal bearing medium 502 which may be implemented as or include a computer-readable medium 506, a computer recordable medium 508, a computer communications medium 510, or combinations thereof, stores programming instructions 504 that may configure the processing unit to perform all or some of the processes previously described. These instructions may include, for example, one or more executable instructions to aerate at least one binder to form at least one aerated-binder and mixing the at least one aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture.

[079] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular examples described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and examples can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and examples are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. This disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting. [080] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[081] In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as“open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as“including but not limited to,” the term“having” should be interpreted as“having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as“includes but is not limited to,” etc.).

[082] If a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles“a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to examples containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or“at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or“an” (e.g.,“a” and/or“an” should be interpreted to mean“at least one” or“one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of“two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[083] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to“at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,“a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to“at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,“a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase“A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of“A” or“B” or“A and B.”

[084] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[085] For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. All language such as“up to,”“at least,”“greater than,”“less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth.

[086] While the foregoing detailed description has set forth various examples of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples, such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one example, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, some aspects of the examples disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and/or firmware would be possible in light of this disclosure. For example, if a user determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the user may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; if flexibility is paramount, the user may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the user may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

[087] In addition, the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative example of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

[088] It is common to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. A typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

[089] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

[090] While various aspects and examples have been disclosed herein, other aspects and examples are possible. The various aspects and examples disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A food product, comprising:

a plurality of food particulates; and

at least one aerated-binder that binds the plurality of food particulates together, wherein the at least one aerated-binder includes a foam defining a plurality of voids; wherein a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is in a range from about 1: 1 to about 50:1.

2. The food product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of food particulates comprise oats.

3. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder contacts substantially all of at least one exterior surface of the plurality of food particulates and at least most of the plurality of voids are spaced from the at least one exterior surface of the plurality of food particulates.

4. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder exhibits a web-like structure.

5. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one aerated-binder comprises honey.

6. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one aerated-binder comprises agave syrup.

7. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder exhibits a plastic texture.

8. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder exhibits a glassy texture.

9. The food product of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one aerated-binder is in a range from about 3 : 1 to about 6: 1.

10. The food product of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one aerated-binder is in a range from about 4:1 to about 10:1.

11. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder exhibits a density that is at least 10% less than an unaerated-binder that is compositionally the same as the at least one aerated-binder.

12. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one binder exhibits a density that is at least 15% less than an unaerated-binder that is compositionally the same as the at least one aerated-binder .

13. The food product of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerated-binder exhibits a density that is at least 20% less than an unaerated-binder that is compositionally the same as the at least one aerated-binder .

14. The food product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of food particulates and the at least one aerated-binder collectively exhibit a flexural strength of at least about 30kPa.

15. The food product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of food particulates and the at least one aerated-binder collectively exhibit a flexural strength of at least about 50 kPa.

16. The food product of claim 1, further comprising one or more long-chained stabilizers mixed with the at least one aerated-binder.

17. The food product of claim 16, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise at least one of protein, pectin, or egg albumin.

18. The food product of claim 16, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise a soluble chickpea protein/polysaccharide solution.

19. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product is substantially long- chained stabilizer free.

20. The food product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of food particulates and the at least one aerated-binder are toasted.

21. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product has substantially less amount of the at least one aerated binder, by weight, than a substantially similar food product that includes an unaerated-binder that is compositionally the same as the at least one aerated-binder

22. A method to form a food product, the method comprising:

aerating at least one binder to form at least one aerated-binder; and

mixing the at least one aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture;

wherein a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is aboutlT to about 50:1.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder for at least 2 minutes.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder at a temperature of about 28 °C to about 40 °C.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder until a density of the at least one binder is reduce by at least 15%.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder until a density of the at least one binder is reduced by at least 30 %.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises extruding the at least one binder from a nozzle with at least one pressurized gas.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one pressurized air exhibits a pressure greater than about 3 MPa.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one pressurized gas comprises N₂0 and CO2.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein extruding the at least one binder from a nozzle comprises extruding the at least one binder from the nozzle at about room temperature.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein extruding the at least one binder from the nozzle comprises reducing the density of the at least one binder by at least about 20%.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises flowing a pressurized gas from a nozzle into the at least one binder.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the pressurized gas exhibits a pressure of at least about 300 kPa.

35. The method of claim 22, further comprising mixing the at least one binder with one or more long-chained stabilizers.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise protein, pectin, or egg albumin.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise a soluble chickpea protein/polysaccharide solution.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises reducing the density of the at least one binder by at least about 25%.

39. The method of claim 22, wherein the mixture is substantially long-chained stabilizer free.

40. The method of claim 22, wherein mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates to form the mixture comprises mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates at a temperature less than about 35 °C.

41. The method of claim 22, wherein mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates comprises adding the plurality of food particulates to the at least one aerated-binder.

42. The method of claim 22, wherein the mixture exhibits a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder of about 3:1 to about 6: 1.

43. The method of claim 22, wherein the mixture exhibits a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder of about 4:1 to about 10:1.

44. The method of claim 22, further comprising compressing the mixture into a selected shape.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein compressing the mixture into a selected shape comprises rolling the mixture into a generally sheet-like shape.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein compressing the mixture into a selected shape comprises pressing the mixture into a mold.

47. The method of claim 22, further comprising toasting the mixture.

48. A method to form a food product, the method comprising:

aerating a binder to form at least one aerated-binder;

mixing the at least one aerated-binder with a plurality of food particulates to form a mixture, wherein the mixture exhibits a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is about 1 : 1 to about 6: 1; and

compressing the mixture into a selected shape.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder for at least 2 minutes.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder at a temperature of about 28 °C to about 40 °C.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder until a density of the at least one binder is reduce by at least 15%.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein mechanically beating the at least one binder comprises mechanically beating the at least one binder until a density of the at least one binder is reduced by at least 30%.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises extruding the at least one binder from a nozzle with at least one pressurized gas.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the at least one pressured gas exhibits a pressure greater than about 3 MPa.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the at least one pressurized air comprises N2O and CO2.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein extruding the at least one binder from the nozzle comprises extruding the at least one binder from the nozzle at about room temperature.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein extruding the at least one binder from a nozzle comprises reducing the density of the at least one binder by at least about 20%.

59. The method of claim 48, further comprising mixing the at least one binder with one or more long-chained stabilizers.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise at least one of protein, pectin, or egg albumin.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the one or more long-chained stabilizers comprise a soluble chickpea protein/polysaccharide solution.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein aerating the at least one binder to form the at least one aerated-binder comprises reducing the density of the at least one binder by at least about 25%.

63. The method of claim 48, wherein the mixture is substantially long-chained stabilizer free.

64. The method of claim 48, wherein mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates to form the mixture comprises mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates at a temperature less than about 35 °C.

65. The method of claim 48, wherein mixing the at least one aerated-binder with the plurality of food particulates comprises adding the plurality of food particulates to the at least one aerated-binder.

66. The method of claim 48, wherein the mixture exhibits a weight ratio of the plurality of food particulates to the at least one binder is about 4:1 to about 10:1.

67. The method of claim 48, wherein compressing the mixture into a selected shape comprises rolling the mixture into a generally sheet-like shape.

68. The method of claim 48, wherein compressing the mixture into a selected shape comprises pressing the mixture into a mold.

69. The method of claim 48, further comprising toasting the mixture.