Abstract: Liquid such as water or whey is removed from soft particulate food solids such as Cottage cheese curd utilizing a pressing belt for high speed gradual compression without significant damage to the food solids. This is accomplished by compressing the food solids in a variable cross-sectional area separation zone between a belt and a support surface such as a foraminous drum and regulating the cross-sectional area of the zone in response to changes in thickness of food solids in the zone to maintain substantially constant pressure of the belt on the food solids to avoid damaging pressure on the food solids. When the food is Cottage cheese curd, accelerated absorption of cream dressing can be obtained by adding the dressing to the curd after discharge from the separation zone before the curd completely expands from the compressed state so that the expanding curd sucks up the cream dressing as it expands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating liquids from soft particulate food solids, especially for cottage cheese. A tensioned belt is partially wrapped around a foraminous drum to compress a layer or bed of food particles advancing on the exterior of the drum wall through a separation zone beneath the belt. The belt run opposite the drum wall is free to flex and yield and to expand and contract the cross-sectional area of the separating zone, depending upon the thickness of the bed of food particles in said zone. Accordingly, delicate such particles will not be damaged or broken up into small particles, as would happen if a thick bed is forced through a zone of fixed cross-sectional area. Moreover, pressure is maintained on the bed when it is thin. A belt tightener is provided which will maintain a desired tension on the belt so that the belt will always exert a predetermined desired pressure on the bed.

Abstract: An agitator carriage is supported and powered for oscillatory movement along the length of an elongated vat, i.e. from end-to-end of the vat. A pair of stirring blades are supported from the carriage, one stirring blade depending into the vat from each side of the carriage. Each stirring blade is supported to move through a generally circular path in a vertical plane, and the blades are powered independently of the carriage drive. The stirring blade movement has both a vertical and horizontal component as it moves in the vat. The speed of movement of both the carriage and the blades can be varied, independently one from the other, so that the blades, as they move longitudinally of the vat, can be made to define, in the vertical planes of movement, loops varying from generally circular to smaller loops approaching a generally undulating path.