Abstract: A system for preparing food product minimizes bacterial contamination and outgrowth within the packaged food product, includes a powered slicer to sequentially separate slices of food product to create a stack of food product slices. The system also includes a first spray nozzle for depositing a first predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation onto the first face of the log or other food product piece each time a slice is removed as well as a a second spray nozzle for depositing a second predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation into a vacuum pouch prior to reception of a stack within the pouch. In an embodiment, the spray system is implemented with respect to a mixer/blender to pretreat a mix prior to further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a marking to an elongated sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a processing machine through which an elongated length of the sheet material is passed. A marking system is arranged to apply a marking to the elongated length of sheet material passing through the processing machine. The marking system comprises at least one spray gun and a pump for supplying marking fluid to the spray gun. The pump is operable at selectively variable speeds. A controller controls the speed of the pump based upon a speed at which the sheet material is passed through the processing machine.

Abstract: A system for preparing food product minimizes bacterial contamination and outgrowth within the packaged food product, includes a powered slicer to sequentially separate slices of food product to create a stack of food product slices. The system also includes a first spray nozzle for depositing a first predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation onto the first face of the log or other food product piece each time a slice is removed as well as a a second spray nozzle for depositing a second predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation into a vacuum pouch prior to reception of a stack within the pouch. In an embodiment, the spray system is implemented with respect to a mixer/blender to pretreat a mix prior to further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing elongated sheet material through a plurality of processing stations including a cooling station for lowering the temperature of the sheet material. The cooling station includes a plurality of individually controllable cooling zones each for controlling a portion of the transverse width of the sheet material during passage through the cooling zone. The cooling zones each include a plurality of cooling fluid directing spray nozzles and a sensor for sensing the temperature of the portion of the sheet material onto which cooling fluid has been directed by the respective cooling zone. A controller responsive to the temperature sensed at each cooling zone is operable for independently controlling the flow of cooling fluid to the fluid spray nozzles of each cooling zone based upon a preset temperature setting of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a marking to an elongated sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a processing machine through which an elongated length of the sheet material is passed. A marking system is arranged to apply a marking to the elongated length of sheet material passing through the processing machine. The marking system comprises at least one spray gun and a pump for supplying marking fluid to the spray gun. The pump is operable at selectively variable speeds. A controller controls the speed of the pump based upon a speed at which the sheet material is passed through the processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing elongated sheet material through a plurality of processing stations including a cooling station for lowering the temperature of the sheet material. The cooling station includes a plurality of individually controllable cooling zones each for controlling a portion of the transverse width of the sheet material during passage through the cooling zone. The cooling zones each include a plurality of cooling fluid directing spray nozzles and a sensor for sensing the temperature of the portion of the sheet material onto which cooling fluid has been directed by the respective cooling zone. A controller responsive to the temperature sensed at each cooling zone is operable for independently controlling the flow of cooling fluid to the fluid spray nozzles of each cooling zone based upon a preset temperature setting of the controller.