Abstract: Blocks of natural cheese (11) are packed in layers in an open-ended upright container (17), for maturing by depositing each layer of cheese blocks (11) on an elevator (18) within the container (17) and lowering the elevator (18) as successive layers of cheese blocks (11) are fed into the top of container (17). The cheese blocks (11) for each layer are assembled on a platform (52) which is moved into a position above the container (17) and the cheese blocks (11) slid off the platform (52) to drop into the container (17). The cheese blocks (11) are freshly made and at a temperature between 24.degree. 32.degree. C. so that the cheese blocks (11) fuse together in the container (17) to form a homogeneous mass of cheese in the container (17).

Abstract: A curd and whey mixture is drained of loose whey on a conveyor and the dry curd fed into the top of a tubular perforated column (48,49) maintained under sub-atmospheric pressure to form a pillar of curd. A mass of curd severed from the lower end of the pillar is deposited in a mould (14) mounted on a turntable (13) rotatable to index the mould in succession at six pressing stations at each of which the curd is compressed for 45-120 seconds at a pressure of at least 4 bar in order to form a block of cheese with a rind firm enough to permit handling of the cheese block after ejection from the mould. At the first pressing station the curd is subjected to a sub-atmospheric pressure of -0.9 to -1.0 bar prior to compression. After the cheese block is ejected from the mould, the turntable returns the empty mould to the column for reception of another mass of curd.

Abstract: Cheese curd is compressed into blocks by feeding the curd into the top of a hollow tower having a perforated lining while the tower is at a sub-atmospheric pressure to form a pillar of curd supported on a guillotine blade at the bottom of the tower, the guillotine blade is then withdrawn, the pillar of curd lowered by an elevator, and the guillotine blade returned to the closed position so as to cut off a block of curd from the bottom of the pillar of curd. The tower comprises a tubular casing, and the perforated lining comprises a pre-form tube formed as an integral structure prior to the fitting of the tube into the tower. The tube is spaced from the wall of the tower to form a drainage passage for whey pressed out from the curd in the pillar by the weight of superimposed curd, the whey passing into the drainage passage through apertures in the tube.

Abstract: A slat conveyor comprises a plurality of transverse slat units interconnected by links at the sides of the conveyor to form an endless chain-like structure mounted on sprockets at the ends of the conveyor, the slat units being fitted with rollers which roll along endless tracks. Each slat unit comprises a thin elongated plate having the longitudinal margins bent through an angle in excess of 90.degree. to form an inverted channel-shaped slat member and two side plates secured one in each side of the slat member. Each side plate is fitted with two locating studs and an axle spindle. Each slat unit is connected to an adjacent slat unit by two of the links arranged one on each side of the conveyor, each link having two bores which receive the studs on the associated side of one slat unit as a close fit and a third bore which receives the axle shaft on the associated side of the adjacent slat unit as a rotational fit.

Abstract: A machine for vacuum-sealing a block of cheese in a tube of heat-sealable plastics material forming the lining of a cheese box mounted on a wheeled dolly, the tubular lining having an open end which projects out of the cheese box. The machine comprises a frame having an upright wall fitted with transverse rails for supporting the dolly carrying the cheese box, a hollow casing open at one end and mounted on the frame for movement between an open position permitting movement of the dolly and cheese box onto the rails and a closed position in which the casing cooperates with the wall to form a chamber enclosing the rails, dolly and cheese box, and means for evacuating air from the chamber. The machine also has gripper mechanism for holding taut the open end of the lining tube, and welding mechanism for sealing the open end of the tube when the chamber is evacuated, the gripper and welding mechanisms being enclosed within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing slices of processed cheese in which a hot cooked mass of the cheese is extruded onto a moving endless belt formed of plastics material provided with a release coating which does not adhere to the cheese, the mass of cheese is spread by a roller into a thin layer, the layer of cheese is carried by the belt through a cooling chamber where the cheese solidifies, and the solidified layer of cheese is peeled from the belt and divided to form individual slices. In a modification, the hot mass of cheese is extruded onto a moving web of film plastics material supported on an endless belt conveyor, the web being fed from a roll of the material at the upstream end of the conveyor and the solidified layer of cheese being peeled from the web before the web is rewound on a reel at the downstream end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding salt to a continuous stream of hot glutinous curd in the manufacture of Pasta Filata cheese, comprises an open-ended trough for passage therethrough of the stream of curd, a measuring roller rotatably mounted on a swing frame pivotally mounted on the trough with the roller in rolling engagement with the top of the curd, electrical means measuring the angle of the swing frame and the rotational speed of the roller so as to provide an output corresponding to the volumetric rate of flow of curd along the trough, and a vibratory conveyor supplying salt to the curd at a rate corresponding to the output of the electrical measuring means. The salt is mixed into the curd by power driven roller discs which project into the curd in the trough and draw the curd along the trough upon rotation of the roller discs.

Abstract: Cheese curd is fed into the top of a hollow perforated column in a tower at a sub-atmospheric pressure so as to form in the column a pillar of curd supported on a guillotine blade which closes off an opening in the bottom of the tower. A former unit below the tower has an upright open-ended cylinder sealed against the bottom of the tower, and an elevator within the cylinder. The guillotine blade is withdrawn, the pillar of curd lowered into the cylinder by the elevator, and the guillotine blade returned to its closed position so as to cut off a block of curd from the bottom end of the pillar of curd. The elevator is then forced upwards to compress the block of curd within the cylinder. The former unit is subsequently lowered, pivoted into a horizontal position, and the elevator driven along the cylinder to eject the block of curd.

Abstract: A slat conveyor which can be assembled and dismantled from the sides thereof without the need to provide access from above or below, comprises a pair of endless side chains mounted on guide rails and a plurality of slats mounted on and extending between the side chains. The side chains comprise links pivotally connected to one another by transverse spindles. Each slat is connected at one end to a link of one side chain fitted with two spindles, and at the other end to a link of the other side chain formed with two bearing apertures for reception of spindles. Alternate slats are reversed end to end with the spindles on each slat engaged in the bearing apertures on the adjacent slats, so that the slats can be withdrawn from the sides.