Abstract: A tomato peel material pH level adjustment system (10) including a plurality of peel material receiving tanks (32, 33), pumps (36, 37), acid injection devices (71, 46, 48), mixing devices (34, 35) and mixing conduits (40, 41) extending to a system output such as storage holding tank or process equipment (42). A plurality of pH sensors (56, 58, 60) sense the pH level of the tomato peel material and acid mixture in the receiving tanks (32, 33) and in the mixing conduits (40, 41) and a controller (PC) responsive to pH level sensing signals causes acid injection into the peel material (22) while in the receiving tanks (32, 33) and/or while in the mixing conduits (40, 41). Base material optionally also can be added to the mixing conduits (40, 41) to correct pH level overshoots. Rather than adding acid or a base, the tomato peel material (22) can be diverted back from the mixing conduits (40, 41) to the receiving tanks (32, 33).

Abstract: An aseptic product discharge valve and related methods for injecting steam into a sterile fluid delivery system used to transport a sterile fluid food product. The aseptic product discharge valve includes a tubular member having a longitudinal passageway and an outlet for discharging the flow of food product. The valve also includes a chamber disposed radially outward of the passageway. The chamber receives steam that is exhausted through an opening disposed adjacent to the valve. A valve member is disposed within the longitudinal passageway and fluid food product must flow about the valve member. The diverted flow of fluid food product may be intersected by the flow of injected steam. The tubular body further includes a valve seat which is bathed with the injected steam to promote sterility at the discharge location.

Abstract: A tomato peel material acidification system (10) including a receiving tank (32), a pump (36), acid injection devices (46, 48), mixing devices (38, 39), and a return line (52) for recirculating tomato peel material with an acid level that is too high. PH sensor probes (56, 58, 60) test the pH level of the tomato peel and acid mixture and appropriate controls direct the opening and closing of valves (50, 51, 54, 55) to re-direct the mixture back into the receiving tank.

Abstract: A temperature probe for use in a product flow line including a valve seat secured in the flow line, a valve stem and an orifice ring. The orifice ring is attached to the valve stem to define a pair of flow paths for product passing through the product flow line. One flow path is through the ring and the other is between the ring and the valve seat. A temperature sensing probe is carried by the valve stem and positioned in the orifice ring for sensing the temperature of the product in the flow line. A spring is connected to act on the valve stem and is responsive to changes in velocity of the product in the flow line to move the orifice ring toward and away from the valve seat to maintain the velocity of the product flowing past the probe constant.

Abstract: A temperature probe for use in a product flow line including a valve seat secured in the flow line, a valve stem and an orifice ring. The orifice ring is attached to the valve stem to define a pair of flow paths for product passing through the product flow line. One flow path is through the ring and the other is between the ring and the valve seat. A temperature sensing probe is carried by the valve stem and positioned in the orifice ring for sensing the temperature of the product in the flow line. A spring is connected to act on the valve stem and is responsive to changes in velocity of the product in the flow line to move the orifice ring toward and away from the valve seat to maintain the velocity of the product flowing past the probe constant.

Abstract: A tomato peel material acidification system (10) including a receiving tank (32), a pump (36), acid injection devices (46, 48), mixing devices (38, 39), and a return line (52) for recirculating tomato peel material with an acid level that is too high. PH sensor probes (56, 58, 60) test the pH level of the tomato peel and acid mixture and appropriate controls direct the opening and closing of valves (50, 51, 54, 55) to re-direct the mixture back into the receiving tank.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring particulate product contained in a compatible media and then separating or straining the particulate product from the compatible media. A housing is provided for containing the compatible media at an optimum level and includes an inclined portion having a particulate product inlet at a lower end thereof and separate particulate product and compatible media outlets at an upper end thereof. The compatible media outlet is located below the particulate product outlet. The housing contains a particulate product conveyor unit which includes a perforated tube and auger assembly for transferring the particulate product from the particulate product inlet to the particulate product outlet. The particulate product is heated or cooled while it is submerged within the compatible media and cross currents of media are supplied to increase heat transfer and conveyance of the product.

Abstract: A nut harvester includes a frame drawn by a tractor over nut and debris windrows on the ground of a nut orchard. The nut harvester collects the nuts from the windrows and separates the debris collected therewith while minimizing the dust emissions and airborne pollutants generated by the nut harvester. The nut harvester includes three primary sections: a pick-up section, a stationary grid section, and a conveyor/fan section. The pick-up section includes finger assemblies which engage the ground to propel the nuts and debris forwardly and upwardly into a rotating feed reel which in turn deposits the nuts onto a stationary grid. The stationary grid includes a number of parallel bars which are spaced to prevent the nuts from falling therebetween. Wipers extend transversely across the grid and advance the nuts therealong.

Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus including a tube having inward projections or turbulating structure extending into the tube at substantially all angular locations around the diameter of the tube except along a drainage path extending along the entire bottom inner surface of the tube. The width of the drainage path is sufficient to ensure that fluid may fully drain from the tube. No turbulating structure is positioned within the drainage path so as to prevent fluid from draining from the tube and potentially contaminating the tube. The turbulating structure of the invention are dimples which are deformed into the tube and have smoothly sloping side walls which further inhibit the dimples from preventing full drainage of the tube. The tubes are fixed to the apparatus at an angle which provides a drainage slope.

Abstract: A fitmentless, aseptic, temporarily sealed pouch is formed from two multiple-ply side walls sealed together at marginal edges. A portion of the seal is removable. Half seals joining the plies within each side wall are disposed in the side walls proximate the removable seal, but do not seal the side walls together. Apparatus and processes for handling, filling and sealing the pouch in an aseptic chamber include apparatus for moving the pouch through a sterilant bath, into and out of an aseptic chamber, a cutter for cutting off the removable seal, and vacuum jaws for engaging, stretching and opening the pouch. Once opened, the pouch is filled, then closed, sealed and moved out of the chamber through the bath.

Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.

Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.

Abstract: A scraped surface heat exchanger is disclosed which includes a heat exchange cylinder and a vertically disposed rotating drum positioned within the cylinder having pivotal scraping elements on the periphery thereof for scraping the cylinder interior surface. The cylinder and drum define an annular product flow chamber through which product is pumped in heat transfer relationship to the cylinder. The heat transfer cylinder is surrounded by a thermally insulated jacket which in combination with the cylinder defines an annular flow chamber for circulation of a heat transfer medium to facilitate cooling or heating of product passing through the product flow chamber. The drum is mounted on a shaft which is journaled in a bearing at only one end, requiring utilization of only a single seal to seal the bearing from the product being heated or cooled. An indicator element integral with a carrier to which a rotating seal element is attached moves as the seal wears to provide a visual indication of seal wear.