Abstract: A cheese-like product is derived from dry rennet casein and generally exhibits the body, texture and eating quality of cheese. The cheese-like product is a substantially homogeneous mass of predetermined consistency and contains at least about 25 percent by weight of previously dry but solvated edible rennet casein as the principal protein source, a solvation agent and water. A bland edible oil or fat and a suitable flavoring agent (or agents) can be present in quantities sufficient to impart to the product the characteristic fat content and flavor of the desired cheese analog. A coloring agent may also be present. The cheese-like product is produced by the direct conversion of dry, particulate rennet casein to a substantially homogeneous mass of cheese-like consistency at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing and draining whey from cheese curd particles in manufacturing large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed into a pressing container mold which has a removable internal draining means having dimple-like projections maintaining a space between the plates of the screen. In one embodiment of the invention, pressure is applied in a vertical direction on the curd particles uniformly draining the whey. The drain means is extracted, and a second application of pressure closes remaining interstitial voids. In a second embodiment of the invention, a first application of pressure is applied to the curd particles in two separate directions at the same time. A spreading spade is inserted between substantially vertical parallel foraminous plates thereby moving these plates further apart exerting a relatively horizontal force on the curd particles and, in conjunction, a press plate pushes down on the curd particles exerting a relatively vertical force on the curd particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing and draining whey from cheese curd. In particular, this apparatus and method are made suitable for producing large blocks of cheese. A container mold having an internal drain screen is filled with cheese curd particles. Pressure is then applied to the cheese curd draining whey into the drain screen and out of the container mold. The container mold is then inverted and the internal drain screen is removed and another application of pressure is used to close any remaining voids within the cheese curd. The container mold is then sealed and prepared for shipping.

Abstract: A method of pressing and draining whey from cheese curd. In particular, this method is made suitable for producing large blocks of cheese. A container mold having an internal drain screen is filled with cheese curd particles. Pressure is then applied to the cheese curd draining whey into the drain screen and out of the container mold. The container mold is then inverted and the internal drain screen is removed and another application of pressure is used to close any remaining voids within the cheese curd. The container mold is then sealed and prepared for shipping.

Abstract: A method of pressing and draining whey from cheese curd particles in manufacturing large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed into a pressing container mold which has a removable internal draining means having dimple-like projections maintaining a space between the plates of the screen. In one embodiment of the invention, pressure is applied in a vertical direction on the curd particles uniformly draining the whey. The drain means is extracted, and a second application of pressure closes remaining interstitial voids. In a second embodiment of the invention, a first application of pressure is applied to the curd particles in two separate directions at the same time. A spreading spade is inserted between substantially vertical parallel foraminous plates thereby moving these plates further apart exerting a relatively horizontal force on the curd particles and, in conjunction, a press plate pushes down on the curd particles exerting a relatively vertical force on the curd particles.

Abstract: A package is disclosed herein that includes a plurality of individual product slices positioned in face abutting engagement with one another, with the lateral edges of adjacent slices being offset relative to one another, and with the lateral edges of alternating slices being positioned in alignment with one another. All of the edges are parallel with one another, and the stack of staggered slices is enclosed within a wrapping material.The package is produced by interleaving a first group of product ribbons within a second group of product ribbons, with the lateral edges of all of the ribbons parallel, and with the lateral edges of the first group of ribbons being offset with respect to the lateral edges of the second group of ribbons. The stack of offset ribbons is severed in longitudinally spaced locations to segregate the stack of ribbons into individual stacks of staggered product slices, which are subsequently wrapped to provide individual packages.