Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating materials of different flowability that are mixed together, comprising a housing having side walls, a hollow drum driven rotationally and mounted on the side walls and having a perforated peripheral surface M, an endless compression belt that can be pressed against the peripheral surface M from the outside, wrapping around a portion of the circumference of the hollow drum, a product intake wedge for feeding a product flow, a supporting apparatus for the compression belt having at least one support element disposed on the side of the compression belt opposite the hollow drum, and a stripping means for stripping off the compressed material from the hollow drum, which is distinguished in that the stripping means is disposed in the area of the product intake wedge.

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: Appparatus and method for continuously manufacturing cheese from cheese curd via mechanical means in which the curd is drained, matted and cheddared while carried upon a pair of conveyors running in opposite directions; milled and discharged upon a third conveyor, and sprayed while on the third conveyor at periodic intervals over a period of 12-20 minutes with a saturated water-based brine having a temperature of 80.degree. F. and pH of 5.1, the curd being permitted to rest undisturbed initially upon the third conveyor for a period of several minutes and being therafter agitated to distribute the brine more uniformly therethrough and being maintained throughout the process at a temperature of substantially 98.degree. F. Approximately eighteen (18) gallons of said brine is being uniformly sprayed upon each 1000 lbs. of curd.

Abstract: A rolled cheese and a process for making the cheese is described. The cheese comprises a layer of fresh cheese curd coated with flavoring such as herbs, which is rolled into a spiral. The fresh cheese curd is neither cooked nor kneaded, and the resulting rolled cheese has two distinct layers which each contain a distinctive taste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in the manufacture of cheeses which proceed through a cheddaring stage. The method comprises treating a pre-drained and stirred cheese curd with a compressive and shear force so as to simultaneously expel the residual whey and permit fibrous development to occur in the fused curd. The apparatus for achieving this comprises a weighted shear assembly, such as a continuous belt overlying a portion of the conveyor belt upon which the cheese curd is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrows. The cheese curd is subjected to compressive and shear forces as it passes beneath the continuous belt. The apparatus for prestirring the curd prior to passing under the continuous belt may comprise a plurality of adjustable position stirrers which move above the conveyor belt in the forward and reverse direction of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing fresh cheese curd such as is produced in the manufacture of cottage cheese. Employs a belt in the form of a plastic screen which is caused to press a continuous layer of the curd against the peripheral surface of a rotatable drum to express liquid and to provide a curd of the desired moisture content for further processing. The pressing action can be controlled by adjusting the belt tension.