Abstract: An improved harvester for harvesting a salt crop from the bottom of a shallow, elongated solar crystallizer containing a substantially saturated salt solution overlying the salt crop. The harvester includes track means extending longitudinally along the sides of the crystallizer on which a pair of carriages are movably mounted and support the ends of a frame extending transversely across the crystallizer. The frame includes salt gathering means for transferring the salt crop laterally in the form of one or a plurality of longitudinally extending furrows or ridges in response to the travel of the harvester along the tracks and the resultant gathered salt is extracted by one or a plurality of suction inlets disposed in alignment with the furrows in the form of an aqueous brine slurry. The extracted salt crop is subsequently separated and recovered while the liquid brine is returned to the crystallizer.

Abstract: A solar crystallizer and a process for producing solar salt adaptable for use in climates heretofore believed unfavorable for solar salt production. The invention employs a solar crystallizer defining a shallow pond of salt solution the level of which is carefully monitored and controlled by withdrawing unsaturated solution from the upper stratum of the pond such as produced from rainfall and introducing substantially saturated brine into the pond at a lower stratum overlying the salt crop on the bottom thereof providing a continuous protective saturated brine layer and enhancing the efficiency of water evaporation by a comparatively shallow depth.

Abstract: A substantially dry, free-flowing particulated mixture suitable for use in the "dry" and "wet" curing of meat products, such as bacon, and for suppression of N-nitrosamine formation during subsequent cooking of the cured meat products comprising a substantially uniform mixture of water soluble particulated meat curing constituents, water insoluble amorphous absorbent silica particles and a liquid alpha-tocopherol uniformly distributed on the water soluble particles and said silica particles. The mixture preferably further contains particulated lecithin, when it is to be employed for "wet" curing, to further enhance the stability of the aqueous brine solution produced by dissolving the free-flowing mixture in water, through which the alpha-tocopherol is uniformly dispersed, providing a pumpable liquid for injection into meat products.

Abstract: A subtantially dry, free-flowing particulated mixture suitable for use in the "dry" and "wet" curing of meat products, such as bacon, and for suppression of N-nitrosamine formation during subsequent cooking of the cured meat products comprising a substantially uniform mixture of water soluble particulated meat curing constituents, water insoluble amorphous absorbent silica particles and a liquid alpha-tocopherol uniformly distributed on the water soluble particles and said silica particles. The mixture preferably further contains particulated lecithin, when it is to be employed for "wet" curing, to further enhance the stability of the aqueous brine solution produced by dissolving the free-flowing mixture in water, through which the alpha-tocopherol is uniformly dispersed, providing a pumpable liquid for injection into meat products.

Abstract: A salt block product and method of making and using same of a type suitable for use in forming a brine for regenerating and rejuvenating water conditioning ion exchange beds comprising integral block of salt having a stake hole extending inwardly of one surface thereof within which a mass of a water soluble rejuvenating agent is disposed at a position spaced inwardly of the surface of the block. The rejuvenating agent can comprise one or an admixture of additive agents which are adapted to dissolve in the water during the dissolution of the salt block forming a brine containing the additive agent uniformly distributed therethrough. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a suitable closure is positioned in the stake hole outwardly of the additive agent to prevent deterioration thereof during shipment and storage which alternatively can be physically removed or is adapted to dissolve releasing the additive agent during the brine generating process.

Abstract: A substantially dry, free-flowing particulated mixture suitable for use in the "dry" and "wet" curing of meat products, such as bacon, and for suppression of N-nitrosamine formation during subsequent cooking of the cured meat products comprising a substantially uniform mixture of water soluble particulated meat curing constituents, water insoluble amorphous absorbent silica particles and a liquid alpha-tocopherol uniformly distributed on the water soluble particles and said silica particles. The mixture preferably further contains particulated lecithin, when it is to be employed for "wet" curing, to further enhance the stability of the aqueous brine solution produced by dissolving the free-flowing mixture in water, through which the alpha-tocopherol is uniformly dispersed, providing a pumpable liquid for injection into meat products.

Abstract: A powder dispenser suitable for use as a first extinguisher and for dispensing particulated solids comprising a container having flexible side walls and formed with an annular neck portion on which a dispensing head is mounted having an orifice terminating in a discharge nozzle. A first conduit is connected at its upper end to the orifice of the dipensing head and extends downwardly within the container such that the lower inlet end thereof is disposed at a position spaced from the base of the container.

Abstract: An improved salt dissolver for producing a uniform supply of a concentrated salt solution incorporating a novel filter and collector manifold assembly adjacent to the base of a tank adapted to be filled with bulk quantities of a soluble salt compound. The filter and collector manifold arrangement provides for high solution flow rate and facilitates replacement of the tubular filter element as may be required or desired from time to time.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making assemblies comprised of a plurality of interconnected disposable packets containing a selected combination of condiments or the like. In accordance with the apparatus and process aspects of this invention, the packet assemblies are produced from a web comprised of two opposed strips which are bonded together to form a plurality of individual cavities which are sequentially filled and sealed with the desired variety of condiments, whereafter the web is severed into sections comprised of the interconnected disposable packet assemblies.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a selected combination of disposable portion control packets and the like including a carton containing a plurality of stackable inner cartons, each of which is filled with a plurality of a selected type of disposable packets and wherein the outer carbon is formed with removable sections in the face panel thereof, which in turn are positioned in registration with removable sections provided in the front end portions of each of the inner cartons so as to provide access to and enable the dispensing of a disposable packet from each inner carton. The present invention further contemplates the method of dispensing a combination of packets in accordance with the foregoing arrangement, and further including a coding system, such as a color coding, to visually indicate the nature of the combination of packets dispensed, as well as the completeness and correctness of the combination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making disposable dispensing packet assemblies in which a plurality of continuous ribbons are formed, each comprised of a plurality of interconnected individual packets disposed at longitudinally spaced fixed intervals therealong, whereafter the ribbons are oriented with their respective longitudinal side edges in substantially parallel adjacent relationship and with the individual packets of each ribbon disposed in aligned transverse relationship. The axially and transversely aligned ribbons are bonded into a composite ribbon, which thereafter is transversely severed into individual sections comprising interconnected dispensing packets, each containing a selected condiment or the like.

Abstract: A new self-cleaning salt dissolver construction which includes a special dissolving zone which supports the salt for dissolution while at the same time permitting the collection of sludge-impurities in the dissolving zone such that the sludge-impurities can be removed by a special cleaning operation when desired, without requiring the removal of the salt bed from the dissolver.