Abstract: A combined storage tank and heat exchanger unit for heating water including a watertight tank having a water inlet in the lower portion thereof and a pair of water outlets in the upper portion thereof. The wall of the tank is in the form of a double wall jacket having a hot refrigerant inlet at the top portion thereof and a hot refrigerant outlet at the bottom portion thereof. A cylindrical heat barrier is mounted inside the tank and spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the jacket wall to thermally isolate a relatively small amount of water in the tank in direct contact with the inner surface of the jacket. A heat barrier disc is mounted in the tank and extends horizontally across the interior thereof to thermally isolate the water in the top portion of the tank from the water in the bottom portion thereof. The water outlets communicate with the interior of the tank on opposite sides of the partition to provide heated water at two distinctly different temperatures.

Abstract: A method for conveying ground cheese in which the cheese is initially ground and the ground cheese is then extruded by an auger through a multiplicity of holes in a die plate. Two sets of rotating blades are located in a housing outwardly of the die plate and act to cut the extruded cheese into a plurality of small particles or plugs. Air is supplied to the lower end of the housing and the cut particles are suspended in the air stream and discharged from the upper end of the housing.

Abstract: A processing housing containing a primary stage spray chamber, a filter stage and redryer chamber, a second stage drying chamber and a cooling stage chamber all in communication one with the other. The primary stage spray chamber has an outlet at the lower end thereof and at least one hot gas inlet port thereof in the upper portion thereof with a source of drying gas connected thereto. At least one spray nozzle extends into the spray chamber and a draft producing means is provided to force the drying gas from the gas source through the spray chamber and out through the outlet thereof. An endless connecting belt is supported for horizontal movement adjacent the outlet of the spray chamber, said belt traveling from the primary stage spray chamber through the filter stage redryer chamber, then through the second stage drying chamber and then through the cooling stage chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous matting and milling of cheese curd. The apparatus includes a housing which houses an upper, water-permeable, endless conveyor belt and a lower endless conveyor belt which operates in the opposite direction to that of the first belt. A mixture of cheese curd and whey is deposited as a layer on the upper belt and the whey is drained through the belt and is discharged through the lower end of the housing. The matted curd is transferred from the upper belt to the lower belt and as a result is inverted, and is subsequently discharged to a curd milling unit which acts to cut the mat of curd into cube-like chunks. The curd mill includes a cylindrical drum and a blade extends the length of the drum and is spaced outwardly from the drum periphery. A series of radial knives connect the blade and the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying ground cheese comprising a hopper to receive the ground cheese and having an auger adapted to extrude the cheese through a multiplicity of holes in a die plate. Two sets of rotating blades are located in a housing outwardly of the die plate and act to cut the extruded cheese into a plurality of small particles or plugs. Air is supplied to the lower end of the housing and the cut particles are suspended in the air stream and discharged from the upper end of the housing.

Abstract: A milking unit detacher mechanism including a main support column and a horizontally extending retractable milking unit support assembly mounted on the main column. The retractable support assembly is comprised of a plurality of link members pivotally connected to each other with the end link member pivotally connected to the main support column by a pivot pin to facilitate movement of the support assembly in its retract direction from underneath the cow and in its extended direction to the milking position underneath the cow. A biasing means is provided to create a biasing force on the end link member tending to rotate it towards its extended position. The biasing means includes a first cam sleeve rotatably mounted on the pivot pin and fastened to the main support column and a second cam sleeve fixedly mounted on the pivot pin adjacent the first cam sleeve.

Abstract: Air heated to between 500.degree. and 800.degree. F. is blown into a smoke generation chamber and simultaneously liquid smoke is sprayed into the chamber. The heated air vaporizes the liquid smoke and the smoke vapor is conducted into a smokehouse where food is being processed.

Abstract: Air withdrawn from a food smokehouse is divided into two branches. The air in one of the branches enters a chamber in which is a bladed air agitator. The chamber includes two water sprays with the water contacting the air and the blades. From that chamber the air sequentially passes through a cyclone separator and a demister. The air from the two branches is then recombined. After being recombined, the air passes through a heater and a humidifier. Part of the recombined air also may pass through a smoke generator.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system including a liquid supply manifold connected to a liquid dispensing reservoir. A check valve is interposed between the manifold and the reservoir to permit liquid flow from the manifold to the reservoir and to prevent reverse flow from the reservoir to the manifold. A dispenser outlet is connected to the reservoir and a dispenser valve is provided thereat to control liquid flow from the dispenser outlet. A source of air under pressure is connected to the reservoir and a control valve is provided to alternately place the reservoir into communication with the source of air under pressure and then subsequently cut off the source of air pressure and place the reservoir into communication with the atmosphere. During the period the reservoir is placed in communication with the air under pressure, the liquid dispenser valve is opened to thereby cause a quantity of liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir out through the dispenser outlet.

Abstract: A milking unit detacher mechanism including a main support column and a vertically movable milker support column slidably mounted on the main support column. The milker support column has a horizontally extending retractable milking unit support assembly mounted thereon adapted to support a milker unit on the end thereof when the milker unit is attached to a cow for milking. The milker unit support assembly can be retracted from its extended position underneath the cow to a retracted position adjacent the cow. A flexible retract member is fastened at one end to the milking unit support assembly and at the other end to a retract means for exerting a pulling force on the flexible retract member to thereby cause the milker unit support assembly to be retracted. The retract means includes a power cylinder having a movable piston rod.