Abstract: A centering device is provided for centering a potato with respect to a propelling hydraulic fluid flow stream which carries the potato into cutting engagement with knife elements of a cutting assembly positioned along the flow stream. The device comprises an elongated tube at the upstream end of the cutting assembly shaped to define a linear flow path of generally circular cross-section and oriented for continuously accelerating the hydraulic fluid. This acceleration results in the fluid having a slightly higher velocity than the potato throughout the length of the tube to create, when the potato is displaced from a centered position, fluid velocity and pressure differentials on opposite sides of the potato tending to return the potato to the centered position.

Abstract: A rotary cutting machine is provided for cutting vegetable products and the like, such as potatoes, into a plurality of smaller pieces, such as elongated shreds to form hashbrown potatoes. The cutting machine comprises a stationary cylindrical knife housing having about its periphery a plurality of axially extending open slots each lined on one side by a cutting knife. The product is supplied into an impeller mounted for rotation within the knife housing for centrifugally throwing the product into cutting engagement with the cutting knives. The impeller comprises a circular base plate closing one axial end thereof, an annular cover plate defining an enlarged central opening for admission of the product at the opposite axial end thereof, and at least one annular divider plate positioned axially between the base plate and the cover plate, all supported at their peripheries by a plurality of axially extending paddles.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for use in cutting vegetable products, such as potatoes and the like, into a longitudinally extending central core and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer strips having a generally arcuate cross section. The cutting assembly is mounted along an hydraulic flow path defined by an inlet pressure conduit for passage of the product one at a time at a relatively high velocity into cutting engagement with a core knife and a plurality of strip knives and for separation of the core and the outer strips for respective flow along an inner core discharge conduit and a concentric outer strip discharge conduit. The cutting assembly is supported within an assembly housing between the inlet conduit and the discharge conduits with the core knife having a cylindrical shape for mounting at the upstream end of the core discharge conduit and defining a circular leading cutting edge along the axis of the flow path.

Abstract: Methods for control of excessive corrosion in wet process phosphoric circuits are effected by oxidation of reduced ion species in the acid with maintenance of EMF value of the acid above about 190 millivolts (S.C.E. reference) through the digestion circuit. Supplementary monitoring is by a ceric red-ox titration procedure. In one embodied form, the present invention is utilized to control corrosion in a phosphoric acid plant digestion system (and subsequent processing equipment) operating by a dihydrate (gypsum) process even when such a process employs a calcined western U.S. phosphate ore feed from a relatively highly carbonaceous ore. The invention is also applicable for treating wet process phosphoric acid in phosphoric acid plants having a digester system operating by a hemihydrate process.

Abstract: A carton filling system is provided for continuously and substantially uniformly filling a succession of cartons with a product for shipping. The system is uniquely adapted for handling irregular-shaped products, such as frozen parfried potato strips, for filling the cartons to have a maximum bulk density, and thereby maximize the quantity of product which can be contained in the cartons. The system is embodied in apparatus and method for orienting the product prior to and during filling of the cartons.

Abstract: A cutter assembly is provided for cutting continuous strips of a dough product, such as potato dough, into a plurality of relatively short strip segments with a variety of lengths and angular end cuts.

Abstract: A method of shaping potato dough into elongated strips comprises feeding a mass of dough from a hopper between a feed roller and a parallel die roller of a continuous rotary shaper. The feed roller forces the dough into annular channels in the die roller to form a plurality of dough strips. The dough strips are continuously released from the die roller onto a conveyor belt driven by an adjustable pressure roller in direct rolling pressure commnication with the die roller.

Abstract: The invention provides for addition of a process oil in a liquid state, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat or blend thereof to potato dough ingredients to enhance tenderness and crispness in the finished formed potato product and to reduce occurrences of "feathering" and "overmixing" of the dough during processing. Accordingly, a liquid oil addition of from about 0.12 weight percent to less than about 2.0 weight percent to the potato dough ingredients is presently preferred as producing the most desirable end product with respect to crispness, flavor, and interior and exterior characteristics. In one embodied form of the invention, the process oil may be added by incorporation of finely chopped, par-fried, frozen, potato eliminations into the potato dough. If eliminations are incorporated, a maximum of about 4.0 weight percent process oil in the potato dough can be utilized in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for control of excessive corrosion in wet process phosphoric circuits are effected by oxidation of reduced ion species in the acid with maintenance of EMF value of the acid above about 190 millivolts (S.C.E. reference) through the digestion circuit. Supplementary monitoring is by a ceric red-ox titration procedure. In one embodied form, the present invention is utilized to control corrosion in a phosphoric acid plant digestion system (and subsequent processing equipment) operating by a dihydrate (gypsum) process even when such a process employs a calcined western U.S. phosphate ore feed from a relatively highly carbonaceous ore. The invention is also applicable for treating wet process phosphoric acid in phosphoric acid plants having a digester system operating by a hemihydrate process.

Abstract: A frozen french fried potato product for heating in a toaster or oven, is provided. The product is made from a cohesive dough which is prepared by admixing cooked potatoes with additives comprising water, a binding agent, cellulose, and dehydrated potato flakes or granules. The dough is extruded into said product which is fried in cooking oil and frozen.

Abstract: Process for producing triple superphosphate by reacting dilute phosphoric acid and lime, limestone or dolomite and granulating the resultant product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making holes in vegetable segments wherein the hole-making step is integrally connected with the steps of cutting and slicing of the segments prior to blanching, dehydrating and/or rehydrating whereby the time of processing of vegetable segments can be quite substantially reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel fertilizer particles having an inner core and an outer water permeable sulfur coating; to a method of preparing these fertilizer particles by contacting a particulate core material in a fluidized bed, or other suitable coating apparatus, with molten sulfur which solidifies upon the core material; the process preferably being conducted in a fluidized bed having an inert atmosphere in the material contacting zone. This invention is particularly useful in preparing triple superphosphate fertilizers with a water permeable coating of elemental sulfur.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for puncturing or perforating vegetable segments wherein the perforating step is integrally connected with the cutting and slicing of the segments prior to blanching, dehydrating and/or rehydrating whereby the time of processing of vegetable segments can be quite substantially reduced.