Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming sliced cheese directly from a quantity of cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. In general, cheese slices are formed from a quantity of cheese in which at least one discrete cheese piece is introduced into an elongated chamber having a longitudinal interior surface and housing a conveyor. Resulting cheese mass is transported forwardly and longitudinally of the chamber via the conveyor to a discharge outlet of the chamber and into a funnel. The cheese mass is extruded at a temperature of less than about 50° F. as a plurality of cheese extrudate sheets through a plurality of elongated orifices of a die plate which receive cheese mass exiting from the outlet of the funnel. The cheese extrudate sheets are cut along their lengths to provide discrete cheese slices.

Abstract: A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.

Abstract: A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for portioning a cheese mass to be sliced and shredded directly from a quantity of bulk cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. The cheese extrudate strands and sheets are cut to provide discrete cheese shreds and slices, and can be automatically portioned and deposited in packages.

Abstract: A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.

Abstract: A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.

Abstract: A cheese reshaper is provided that reshapes a generally rectangular portion of cheese into a generally circular or ovular portion of cheese. The cheese reshaper consists of a cheese shaping die having a generally rectangular entrance opening and a generally circular exit opening with a transition zone therebetween. The transition zone is dimensional to gradually reshape the cheese as it passes through it. Furthermore, the cross-sectional areas of the generally rectangular portion of cheese, generally circular or ovular portion of cheese, generally rectangular entrance opening, and the generally circular or ovular exit opening are all substantially equal.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming sliced cheese directly from a quantity of cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. In general, cheese slices are formed from a quantity of cheese in which at least one discrete cheese piece is introduced into an elongated chamber having a longitudinal interior surface and housing a conveyor. Resulting cheese mass is transported forwardly and longitudinally of the chamber via the conveyor to a discharge outlet of the chamber and into a funnel. The cheese mass is extruded at a temperature of less than about 50° F. as a plurality of cheese extrudate sheets through a plurality of elongated orifices of a die plate which receive cheese mass exiting from the outlet of the funnel. The cheese extrudate sheets are cut along their lengths to provide discrete cheese slices.

Abstract: A reclosable flexible package includes a reclosure having flanges joined at their upper ends to interlockable fastener tracks. The lower ends of the reclosure flanges are joined together with one of the reclosure flanges being joined to a side panel of the flexible package by a peel seal.

Abstract: Vertical form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Prior to assembly at the fill station a series of spaced-apart stop members are formed along the fastener tracks.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming shredded cheese directly from a quantity of cheese, which is particularly applicable to a chilled high-moisture quantity of cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. In general, cheese shreds are formed from a quantity of cheese in which at least one discrete cheese piece is introduced into an elongated chamber having a longitudinal interior surface and housing a conveyor. Resulting cheese mass is transported forwardly and longitudinally of the chamber via the conveyor to a discharge outlet of the chamber. The cheese mass is extruded at a temperature of less than about 50° F. as a plurality of cheese extrudate strands through a plurality of elongated orifices of a die plate which receive cheese mass exiting the discharge outlet of the chamber. The cheese extrudate strands are cut along their lengths to provide discrete cheese shreds.

Abstract: A flexible package is provided with a shrouded slide fastener closure. The shroud includes an opening for the slide, extending to a line of weakness joining the shroud to the remainder of the flexible package. The opening includes an acute angle portion communicating with the line of weakness to facilitate tearing of the shroud from the flexible package.

Abstract: Vertical form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Prior to assembly at the fill station a series of spaced-apart stop members are formed along the fastener tracks.

Abstract: A reclosable flexible package includes a reclosure having flanges joined at their upper ends to interlockable fastener tracks. The lower ends of the reclosure flanges are joined together with one of the reclosure flanges being joined to a side panel of the flexible package by a peel seal.

Abstract: A reclosable flexible package includes a reclosure having flanges joined at their upper ends to interlockable fastener tracks. The lower ends of the reclosure flanges are joined together with one of the reclosure flanges being joined to a side panel of the flexible package by a peel seal.

Abstract: Vertical form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Prior to assembly at the fill station a series of spaced-apart stop members are formed along the fastener tracks.

Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill.

Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at a turntable-mounted point of fill. With rotation of the turntable, final sealing operations are performed.

Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill.

Abstract: Vertical form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Prior to assembly at the fill station a series of spaced-apart stop members are formed along the fastener tracks.