Abstract: Precut, solid water-in-oil emulsion compositions are prepared by providing a mold having an outer frame and a plurality of configured partitioning plates disposed within the outer frame. The mold is at least partially filled with a fluid form of the emulsion so as to form precuts in the emulsion corresponding to the partitioning plates. The emulsion is then allowed to set. An extrusion die is advanced into the mold. The extrusion die has grooves configured complimentary to the configuration of the partitioning plates so as to receive the partitioning plates therein. The set emulsion is then discharged from the mold by at least partially passing the extrusion die through the mold so as to discharge the set emulsion with the precuts therein.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a ground roasted plant material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of subjecting the plant material to steam at a pressure greater than or equal to about 5 bar to roast the plant material, and releasing the pressure to expel the plant material through a grid to grind the roasted plant material.

Abstract: Raw wheat grains are polished after being subjected to a first water addition and being tempered, and the polished wheat grains are ground after being subjected to a second water addition and being tempered. The first water addition is to cause the raw wheat grains to have a water content of 12-14%. The tempering of the raw wheat grains is performed for 16-36 hours so that the water sufficiently penetrate into the inside of the raw wheat grains. The method of flouring includes the steps of measuring a water content of the flour obtained by the grinding of the grains, comparing the amount of the measured water content with a predetermined target water content of the flour, and adjusting the amount of water to be added during the second water addition if there is a difference between the measured water content and the predetermined target water content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dough forming apparatus generally comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned forming belts to receive and convey a piece of dough, the plurality of belts configured such that the plurality of belts form an annular passageway. A mandrel is provided which extends substantially coaxially within the annular passageway. The apparatus further comprises a drive device operable to provide simultaneous movement of the plurality of forming belts. The present invention also provides a process for forming a toroid of dough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing compositions or slurries containing edible surfactants (generally at low levels) or no surfactants at all using an NMR sensor designed to measure water or solids content of the composition on-line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuously processing an elongated strand (1) of plastic edible material coated with a coagulated coating. A co-extruder (6) has interchangeable parts (9B) to provide strands of varying diameter. The strand is conveyed through a closed tubular conveyor (106) through which a brine fluid is simultaneously passed. The drying of the strand includes an infrared drier (3). A linker and/or crimper (2) is provided.

Abstract: This invention is related to a novel process and automatic apparatus for delivering formed, freshly fried potato products from a dehydrated potato granulate. The process includes the steps of preparing a dough by rehydrating the granulate, cutting the dough into pieces, frying the pieces of dough, and controlling the frying time by measuring the temperature of the frying oil during the frying time; computing the introduced energy amount by integrating the temperature of frying oil over the frying time; and terminating the frying time when the introduced energy amount equals a predetermined constant value. The pieces are removed from the oil when the frying time is terminated.

Abstract: A material sheet is conveyed to a hollowed pipe member which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and which has one or more circumferential openings and which is positioned for, by vacuum suction via the pipe hollow and circumferential openings and by rotation, sucking up and rolling up the sheet. The pipe member is mounted so that it reciprocates transversely to the direction of sheet travel for positioning for sucking up and rolling up the sheet and for retracting from a rolled sheet on the conveyor.

Abstract: A mixer and method of mixing are described which involves forming a viscous first fluid into a thin film by passage through an annulus and then injecting a second fluid into the flowing liquid. Injection may be through either annulus-forming surface or both in various patterns. A particular mixer adapted for use in the uniform mixing of rennet and precheese. The precheese is suitably formed by ultrafiltration of milk. The mixer forms an annulus and injects rennet circumferentially into the surface of precheese/retentate flowing in the form of a thin film through the annulus formed by the mixer. Downstream of injection, additional mixing means may be included to further enhance mixing. The mixer is adapted for modification and facile disassembly for cleaning to maintain sanitary standards.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously treating an organic compound contaminated soil heap with an ozone containing gas using a closed loop gas recycle system.

Abstract: A downwardly tapering core forms a guide part for an end portion which can be pushed into the core so as to be flush therewith when the core is introduced into a downwardly tapering cavity in the form member in the production of ice cream cups, cones or the like. Upon an initial baking of the dough to increase the resistance thereof, the core can be pressed further into the dough to compress the latter into final thickness, whereupon baking can occur with the end portion fully pressed into the guide part.

Abstract: A mass of baker's dough is delivered from hopper (28) through stuffing pump (30), developer (38), branch conduits (42-44), through metering pumps (46-48), to dough divider (55), where the streams of dough are divided into dough balls which drop to a rounder bar conveyor (60). The columns of dough are independently maintained from the dough divider (55) to the sheeter-molder-panner (24-26).

Abstract: Described is a process for manufacturing syrup-infused proteinaceous and farinaceous food products by adding syrups heated to various temperatures to extruded food compositions where the extrudate exits the die under pressure, expands and releases moisture upon expansion, thus cooling and setting the structural matrix of the food while replacing the moisture partially or fully with the syrup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the pasteurization of liquid contained in containers, such as beer in bottles or cans, in a tunnel pasteurizer comprising at least a pre-heating zone (1), a pre-pasteurization zone (2), a pasteurization zone (3) and a cooling zone (4), each zone comprising a plurality of sprayers (11, 12, 13, 14), containers being heated up and cooled down through spraying with water which is received in a plurality of separate receiving means (7, 8, 9, 10), the containers in a cooling zone being sprayed with water received in a pre-heating zone. The process is characterized in that during the normal, continuous feed-through of the containers through the pasteurizer, the supply of water to the sprayers in the pasteurization zone is prevented.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for extruding and coating foodstuffs, in which the foodstuff is extruded by means of an extruder device and, after the extrusion, is cut off by means of a cutting device (4, 5), the material (11), after leaving the extrusion die (2), being sprayed with at least one additive before it is cut off; furthermore, a device for carrying out the process is disclosed, which has an extruder screw for feeding the material (11) to be extruded, which is extruded through an extrusion die (2) and, after extrusion, is cut off by means of a cutting device (4, 5), at least one additive being sprayed onto the extruded material (1i) by means of at least one spray device (7) before the said extruded material (11) is cut off.

Abstract: A method and pellet mill apparatus for the continuous preparation of improved animal feed pellets cooks a grain mash with steam under superatmospheric pressure which extends through a conditioning chamber within the mill and to an extrusion die to increase conditioning and gelatinization of the mash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of germinating and drying cereal such as rice, wheat, soybean and corn seeds, in which a husked cereal is subjected to moisture treatment to germinate the cereal. The germination is suspended after germinated cereal is produced. The germinated cereal is dried at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. and irradiated with far infrared rays to dry the inside thereof and cause absorbed nutrients of the germinated cereal to be readily extractable.

Abstract: A deformable ice confection giving a smooth mouth feel and refreshment from a high ice content which comprises smooth convex faced ice particles in a deformable medium, eg a syrup or ice cream.

Abstract: A method for producing an ice cream product is provided involving the steps of: introducing at least one stick into a cavity of a mold for shaping the ice cream product, introducing ice cream under pressure into the cavity, releasing the pressure and then removing the shaped ice cream from the cavity. Sticks are supported within the cavity at least during introduction of the ice cream. Further, the invention also relates to an apparatus including: an injection device having a chamber with feeding mechanism for holding starting material, a mechanism for inserting pressure upon the starting material and an outlet for delivering pressurized starting material and a mold. The mold in the closed position includes a mold cavity to be filled with starting material through an intake opening by means of an outlet on the injection device, at least one stick introduction opening and air vents. The mold is provided with a supporting mechanism to hold sticks within the mold cavity.

Abstract: Foodstuff particles are produced with ragged ends by tearing them from the ends of strips of the foodstuff by bending the ends.