Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation apparatus includes a housing defining a separation chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlet orifices. A separation screen, which is located within the separation chamber, has a plurality of openings having fixed, non-uniform sizes. The separation apparatus also includes an adjustable feed placement device located upstream from the separation screen to direct a feed stream to a selected region of the separation screen to achieve a desired size distribution in each of the product streams.

Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation apparatus includes a housing defining a separation chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlet orifices. A separation screen, which is located within the separation chamber, has a plurality of openings having fixed, non-uniform sizes. The separation apparatus also includes an adjustable feed placement device located upstream from the separation screen to direct a feed stream to a selected region of the separation screen to achieve a desired size distribution in each of the product streams.

Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation apparatus includes a housing defining a separation chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlet orifices. A separation screen, which is located within the separation chamber, has a plurality of openings having fixed, non-uniform sizes. The separation apparatus also includes an adjustable feed placement device located upstream from the separation screen to direct a feed stream to a selected region of the separation screen to achieve a desired size distribution in each of the product streams.

Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation screen is formed from a first screening element having a first plurality of openings passing through the first screening element and a second screening element movably coupled to the first screening element. The second screening element is oriented parallel to the first screening element and has a second plurality of openings passing through the second screening element. The separation screen also includes an adjustment device integrated with at least one of the first screening element or the second screening element to control the effective size of the plurality of apertures in the separation screen.

Abstract: A novel separation screen, a separation apparatus utilizing the separation screen, and a method for product separation are disclosed herein. The separation apparatus includes a housing defining a separation chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlet orifices. A separation screen, which is located within the separation chamber, has a plurality of openings having fixed, non-uniform sizes. The separation apparatus also includes an adjustable feed placement device located upstream from the separation screen to direct a feed stream to a selected region of the separation screen to achieve a desired size distribution in each of the product streams.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process and apparatus for producing low oil fried food products having less than 30 percent by weight oil based on the total weight of an unseasoned chip and a reduced level of acrylamide. The process discloses simultaneously contacting the par-fried food with a steam knife and a steam sweep.

Abstract: Seasoning for use with snack chips can be recovered and recycled. A seasoning permeable conveyor transports snack chips through a seasoning application. The seasoning applicator deposits seasoning onto the snack chips. The conveyor allows the seasoning not adhered to the moving snack chips to substantially pass through and by toward a seasoning recoverer. The seasoning recoverer, which is positioned beneath the conveyor, collects the seasoning for purification and blending with fresh seasoning. After blending, the seasoning mixture is transported to the seasoning application for use.

Abstract: Seasoning for use with snack chips can be recovered and recycled. A seasoning permeable conveyor transports snack chips through a seasoning application. The seasoning applicator deposits seasoning onto the snack chips. The conveyor allows the seasoning not adhered to the moving snack chips to substantially pass through and by toward a seasoning recoverer. The seasoning recoverer, which is positioned beneath the conveyor, collects the seasoning for purification and blending with fresh seasoning. After blending, the seasoning mixture is transported to the seasoning application for use.

Abstract: A flipping apparatus for turning over product pieces such as potato crisps having a first conveyor and a second conveyor. A terminal portion of the first conveyor is nested within a concavity defined by an upturned and curved portion of the second conveyor. A channel is provided between the first conveyor and the curved portion of the second conveyor through which the product pieces can pass. Centrifugal force along the curved portion promotes a gentle and effective transfer of the product pieces from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. Thereby, the product pieces are turned over.

Abstract: The system and method for monolayer alignment snack chip transfer process a snack chip from a first to a second conveyor. By using a roll at the discharge of the toast oven conveyor that has a diameter that is substantially closer in size to the pickup roll of the second conveyor, mechanical devices for lifting the chips off of the toast oven conveyor can be avoided. Further, chip preforms' alignment in passing between the two conveyors is maintained.

Abstract: The process for making a shaped snack chip uses various components to form a chip having depth such as a bowl-shaped tortilla chip. The chips are formed by sheeting into an initial flat shape. The chips are then passed along for shaping by a mold and plunger conveyor. Once plunged to the mold shape, the chips are reduced in moisture content by baking and frying. After frying, oil is evacuated from the chips whereafter salt and flavoring is applied, if desired, prior to being packaged.

Abstract: The process for making a shaped snack chip uses various components to form a chip having depth such as a bowl-shaped tortilla chip. The chips are formed by sheeting into an initial flat shape. The chips are then passed along for shaping by a mold and plunger conveyor. Once plunged to the mold shape, the chips are reduced in moisture content by baking and frying. After frying, oil is evacuated from the chips whereafter salt and flavoring is applied, if desired, prior to being packaged.

Abstract: The system and method for monolayer alignment snack chip transfer process a snack chip from a first to a second conveyor. By using a roll at the discharge of the toast oven conveyor that has a diameter that is substantially closer in size to the pickup roll of the second conveyor, mechanical devices for lifting the chips off of the toast oven conveyor can be avoided. Further, chip preforms' alignment in passing between the two conveyors is maintained.

Abstract: Improvements to a de-oiler apparatus, used to remove oil from food product chips after frying, include a perforated, inverted T-shaped baffle disposed in the inlet to the de-oiler and a flat, perforated plate disposed in the exit from the de-oiler. The T-shaped baffle and the perforated plate straighten the flow in the inlet and outlet regions, respectively, thereby decreasing the amount of steam which is lost from the chamber and reducing scattering of the chips, which hampers oil removal therefrom.