Abstract: With the process, pasta products are packed in serving portions, ready for sale. For doing this, the pasta products are separated into serving portions prior to drying and packing into the package. In order to avoid mechanical breakage, provision is made, when separating the pasta products, to lay at least one serving of pasta product onto a carrying member of the at least two-part package. Afterward, the carrying member is combined with the remaining packaging members into a package.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for microwave drying conducted at a higher microwave energization level while avoiding scorching of the material. The increasing energization includes the formation and interruption of chains of particles of the material in mutual contact and extending transverse to the flow of material and in line with the electric field of the energization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of bulk material, as e.g. heating to dry pasta (macaroni products), involves turning the individual pieces of bulk material and displacing them relatively to one another during treatment, and takes place in a throughflow fluidized bed. In one form heating is effected with microwaves, a fluidized bed duct acting as wave guide tube. Multistage processes are disclosed, including a pair of sub-steps involving separate heating and subsequent drying, at least the former utilizing microwave heating. The sub-steps can take place in separate treatment ducts which share a common air circulation duct, both the treatment ducts forming an integral unit.

Abstract: Soft and moist vegetables are kneaded, severed and partially homogenized by a feed screw which rotates in a barrel and are admitted into a mincing unit wherein the partially homogenized material is severed by knives of a rotor which is surrounded by an apertured cylindrical stator. The comminuted material is thereupon caused to pass through the holes of an extruder and is severed behind the extruder to yield discrete crumbs which can be used as animal fodder or dried and ground to yield flour or farina, particularly flour or farina which can be used for the baking of tortillas. Vegetables which are admitted into the barrel are freshly harvested (such vegetables may include banana peels) or cooked. For example, dried grains of maize can be cooked in the presence of water and rinsed prior to admission into the barrel.

Abstract: Soft and moist vegetables are kneaded, severed and partially homogenized by a feed screw which rotates in a barrel and are admitted into a mincing unit wherein the partially homogenized material is severed by knives of a rotor which is surrounded by an apertured cylindrical stator. The comminuted material is thereupon caused to pass through the holes of an extruder and is severed behind the extruder to yield discrete crumbs which can be used as animal fodder or dried and ground to yield flour or farina, particularly flour or farina which can be used for the baking of tortillas. Vegetables which are admitted into the barrel are freshly harvested (such vegetables may include banana peels) or cooked. For example, dried grains of maize can be cooked in the presence of water and rinsed prior to admission into the barrel.