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 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: Soil binding and revegetation compositions useful for stabilizing soil and promoting vegetation or revegetation of soil comprise water, an endosperm, an iron compound, a strong base, and a fibrous material. The endosperm comprises the carbohydrate and protein portions of grains, seeds, or tubers. The strong base is reacted with the endosperm in the presence of water added in order to ionize the carbohydrate and protein of the endosperm and render them more soluble or dispersible in water. The iron compound promotes an electrochemical reaction that assists in the formation of a silicate crystal matrix when applied to soil. The fibrous material softens and nourishes the soil in order to promote the emergence of plant life and/or seed germination. Seeds may optionally be added to further promote vegetation or revegetation of denuded soils.

Abstract: Soil binding and revegetation compositions useful for stabilizing soil and promoting vegetation or revegetation of soil comprise water, an endosperm, an iron compound, a strong base, and a fibrous material comprising at least two different types of fibers. The endosperm comprises the carbohydrate and protein portions of grains, seeds, or tubers. The strong base is reacted with the endosperm in the presence of water added in order to ionize the carbohydrate and protein of the endosperm and render them more soluble or dispersible in water. The iron compound promotes an electrochemical reaction that assists in the formation of a silicate crystal matrix when applied to soil. The fibrous material comprises at least two different types of fibers that promote adhesion to soil and soften and nourish the soil in order to promote the emergence of plant life and/or seed germination. Seeds may optionally be added to further promote vegetation or revegetation of denuded soils.

Abstract: A method apparatus for removing a casing, particularly a casing with a clip end embedded in the product, is disclosed where the clipped end is clamped and gas is injected into this end to blow out the clip and casing end while the clamped portion prevents the entire casing from being inflated. The air or gas, such as HEPA filtered air, is injected into the product with a needle, for instance, to balloon out the casing in the clamped area to free the previously embedded clip. The clip is then gripped, certain cuts are made in the casing, and the casing is pulled from the product. An injector such as a needle is inserted into the end portion of the product and pressurized gas, such as HEPA filtered air, is injected into the end portion. The injection of the gas causes the casing to balloon out from the product thereby freeing the previously embedded clip. The freed clip is then gripped while the casing is then cut for removal.

Abstract: An escalator step pallet has step tread and front riser portions joined together with side edges. The side edges are provided with a peripheral slot to accept replaceable demarcation inserts which identifies the side edges. The slot on the step pallet is provided with guides extending along its length to accept channels of the demarcation inserts and orient the demarcation inserts on the step pallet. Preferably, a pair of demarcation inserts are provided for each step edge, the first insert extending along the step tread and the second insert extending along the riser. The two inserts may interlock. In addition, each of the inserts is provided with a locking device which mates with a corresponding element on the step pallet to retain the insert in position. The locking device may be for example, a hook arm which engages a projection on the bottom surface of the step pallet.