Abstract: An apparatus and method to efficiently and accurately count, group and discharge individual products from a production line. The apparatus and methods are suitable for a variety of products, including products with irregular shapes, and/or products that travel down production lines at irregular intervals. In one embodiment the apparatus can have a delivery conveyor having a product sensor; a grouping conveyor adjacent to the delivery conveyor having a plurality of containment areas to receive a plurality of products; and a controller communicatively connected to the delivery conveyor, the grouping conveyor, and the product sensor, the controller configured to count product traveling on the delivery conveyor during a grouping sequence and to discharge a product group from the grouping conveyor during a discharge sequence at a predetermined product count. The grouping conveyor can be at substantially right angles to the delivery conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to efficiently and accurately count, group and discharge individual products from a production line. The apparatus and methods are suitable for a variety of products, including products with irregular shapes, and/or products that travel down production lines at irregular intervals. In one embodiment the apparatus can have a delivery conveyor having a product sensor; a grouping conveyor adjacent to the delivery conveyor having a plurality of containment areas to receive a plurality of products; and a controller communicatively connected to the delivery conveyor, the grouping conveyor, and the product sensor, the controller configured to count product traveling on the delivery conveyor during a grouping sequence and to discharge a product group from the grouping conveyor during a discharge sequence at a predetermined product count. The grouping conveyor can be at substantially right angles to the delivery conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to efficiently and accurately count, group and discharge individual products from a production line. The apparatus and methods are suitable for a variety of products, including products with irregular shapes, and/or products that travel down production lines at irregular intervals. In one embodiment the apparatus can have a delivery conveyor having a product sensor; a grouping conveyor adjacent to the delivery conveyor having a plurality of containment areas to receive a plurality of products; and a controller communicatively connected to the delivery conveyor, the grouping conveyor, and the product sensor, the controller configured to count product traveling on the delivery conveyor during a grouping sequence and to discharge a product group from the grouping conveyor during a discharge sequence at a predetermined product count. The grouping conveyor can be at substantially right angles to the delivery conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to efficiently and accurately count, group and discharge individual products from a production line. The apparatus and methods are suitable for a variety of products, including products with irregular shapes, and/or products that travel down production lines at irregular intervals. In one embodiment the apparatus can have a delivery conveyor having a product sensor; a grouping conveyor adjacent to the delivery conveyor having a plurality of containment areas to receive a plurality of products; and a controller communicatively connected to the delivery conveyor, the grouping conveyor, and the product sensor, the controller configured to count product traveling on the delivery conveyor during a grouping sequence and to discharge a product group from the grouping conveyor during a discharge sequence at a predetermined product count. The grouping conveyor can be at substantially right angles to the delivery conveyor.

Abstract: A laser is used to both score and emblazon a sheet to thereby provide a scored, emblazoned sheet. That scored, emblazoned sheet is then used to wrap an item (such as, but not limited to, a foodstuff item). By one approach this can comprise providing a plurality of lasers and exposing a substantially taut sheet to this plurality of lasers. So configured, these lasers are used substantially contemporaneously with one another such that each laser both scores and emblazons a corresponding portion of the substantially taut sheet to provide the aforementioned scored, emblazoned sheet.

Abstract: Aseptically-packaged pudding products are produced wherein the pudding additionally contains a protein aggregating agent selected from the group consisting of heat-coaguable protein, food acids, food acid salts, food bases, food base salts and combinations thereof. The puddings are particularly useful for making layered pudding products.

Abstract: Utilizing a combination of a low starch level, a high lauric acid-containing fat and from 0.12 to 0.2% sodium-stearoyl-2-lactylate a pudding is formulated which has a low on-line viscosity after cooking and sterilization and when subject to refrigerator storage develops a desirably high viscosity and a preferred texture and mouthfeel as compared to high starch level puddings. The cooked and sterilized pudding formulation of this invention is cooled in non-swept-surface heat exchangers after the cooking and sterilization step.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle for the atomization of liquids and, more particularly, a three-fluid nozzle for effectuating a unique method of atomizing high viscosity liquids and difficult-to-spherize liquids which are to be spray-dried. Also disclosed is a novel method of atomizing high viscosity liquids and liquids which are difficult to spherize in an essentially two-step atomization sequence through the utilization of the inventive three-fluid atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A method for agglomerating a low-moisture, amorphous gelatin-containing mix wherein finely ground gelatin is combined with a ground, anhydrous food acid and ground sugar and/or polydextrose and the mix is heated, while being agitated to a temperature between 180.degree. and 200.degree. F.