Abstract: Systems and processes are described for sanitizing a food product with ozone gas. The ozone gas is generated using a low pressure, low volume ozone gas generator and is delivered to a fluid injector. The fluid injector receives high pressure carrier fluid from a carrier fluid source and causes the ozone to be entrained in a stream of carrier fluid. The entrainment is created by passing the carrier fluid through a venturi diffuser inside the injector which creates a negative pressure in the sanitizing fluid line, thus drawing the sanitizing fluid into the carrier fluid and creating a highly homogenized fluid jet. The fluid jet is then injected into a container which contains a food product to be sanitized by the ozone. The container may also be provided with a mixing paddle to vigorously mix the food product while the ozone/carrier fluid jet is injected into the food product, which further ensures that the food product is contacted with sanitizing ozone gas.

Abstract: A tomato lye applicator (10) including a pre-heat apparatus (14) mounted to the shell (16) of applicator (10) for pre-heating tomatoes prior to submerging in a lye solution bath (28). Pre-heat apparatus (14) includes a conveyor (42) and steam connections (64, 66) for heating enclosure (40) so that as tomatoes move from inlet (18) to applicator inlet (20), the skins of the tomatoes are pre-heated an amount sufficient to enhance skin loosening by the lye solution.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for sealing the seams of ravioli in commercial production. The improvement includes applying dry steam to the top surface of the bottom layer of pasta dough and to the bottom surface of the top layer of pasta dough before crimping the seams together. Steam is applied via a pair of steam manifolds adjacent the pasta layers and increases the adhesiveness of the pasta.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various systems and processes for applying feed additives to a solid feed composition. In one embodiment, a solid feed additive is combined with a liquid carrier to form a feed additive suspension. The feed additive suspension is fed to a dispensing device that sprays the suspension onto a solid feed composition stream. In an alternative embodiment, a system is disclosed that combines and/or dilutes various liquid feed additives that are then similarly sprayed on a solid feed composition stream. In various embodiments of the present invention, the system includes a plurality of submixing systems that not only maintain a homogeneous suspension or solution but are also capable of continuously applying the solution or suspension to the feed composition.

Abstract: An inline macerating method and apparatus for treating pieces of meat with a liquid wherein the pieces of meat are first injected with the liquid and then drawn by suction through a duct in which the piece of meat is incised by cutting edges extending into the path of the pieces of meat as they traverse the duct. The pieces of meat then pass into a paddle massager or tumbler in which the liquid is massaged into the tissue.

Abstract: A smoking apparatus includes a smoking chamber for containing the food material, a smoke or liquid smoke supply generator connected to the smoking chamber for feeding and spouting the smoke or liquid smoke into the smoking chamber, and a vacuum pump connected to the smoking chamber for making the smoking chamber vacuous. A control device is connected to the vacuum pump and the supply generator. The control device is programmed to previously operate the vacuum pump so that the vacuum pump makes the smoking chamber vacuous to exhaust the food material of air, and then operate the supply generator so that the supply generator spouts the smoke or liquid smoke into the smoking chamber to smoke the food material with the smoke or liquid smoke.

Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering treatments to pre-packed boxes of produce, comprising: a main frame defining a space sized and configured to receive a plurality of vertically stacked, pre-packed boxes of produce, each box having at least one pair of through hand holes located in opposing ends thereof, a first injector frame moveably mounted to the main frame opposite one of the two opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes and a second injector frame moveably mounted to the main frame opposite the other of the opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes; a plurality of spray injectors in fluid communication with a solution holding tank and with means to pump solutions from said holding tank to said spray injectors, the spray injectors being adjustably mounted on the injector frames, with a spray injector positioned in alignment with each hand hole exposed on each of the two opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes; means to move the injector frames between a first position in which the spray inje

Abstract: A method of operating a drenching apparatus for drenching fruit and vegetables with an aqueous chemical solution having a pit for holding a large volume of the solution, a drench pump for drawing the solution from the pit and discharging it into manifolds equipped with nozzles for drenching the fruit, recovery apparatus for returning excess solution to the pit which is a holding tank for holding a volume of the solution; a heater, including a heater pump, connected to the holding tank and arranged to maintain the temperature of the solution therein; a re-circulation pump connected to draw solution from the pit and direct it to a heater with a conduit connecting said holding tank to said pit. The volume of the holding tank being sufficient to assure that portions of the solution are maintained at said temperature for a time to eradicate pathogens.

Abstract: An improved drench apparatus for drenching fruit and vegetables with an aqueous chemical solution having a pit for holding a large volume of said solution, drench pump for drawing solution from the pit and discharging it into manifolds equipped with nozzles for drenching the fruit, a recovery system for returning excess solution to the pit; comprising a holding tank for holding a volume of said solution; a heater, including a heater pump, connected to said holding tank and arranged to maintain the temperature of the solution therein; a re-circulation pump connected to draw solution from said pit and direct it to said heater with a conduit connecting said holding tank to said pit. The volume of said holding tank being sufficient to assure portions of the solution are maintained at said temperature for a time to eradicate pathogens.

Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.

Abstract: A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and a pressure of 12-30 psi. The level of condensate is controlled for dragout by adding water and the concentration of naphthalene sulfonate is monitored and maintained at approximately 1000-2000 ppm. Residence time in the steam chamber is 8-35 seconds, while residence time in the vacuum chamber is 5-10 seconds while maintaining a vacuum of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.

Abstract: A device for and method of injecting a bale of ruminant material with a fluid is taught. The device includes a plurality of injection spikes for insertion into the bale. The spikes are attached to a support for supporting the spikes while they are inserted into the bale. The spikes are attached to the support by a resilient member. The device prevents the deformation of the spikes and thereby increases the useable life of the device over devices in which the spikes are rigidly mounted on a driving structure. The device further has injection drive which allows precise control over the amount of fluid being injected into the bale.

Abstract: An improved higher capacity caustic peeler of fruits such as tomatoes. The peeler subjects the tomatoes to a caustic applicator with shallower buckets with apertures in the buckets and a higher number of caustic dispensing jets, and then provides peeling using a flexible cable cage, which tumbles the tomatoes. A pinch roller is used to remove the remainder of the peels (or skins).

Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into meat entails weighing the meat product, injecting it with fluid, weighing the injected meat product, determining the ratio between these weights, comparing that ratio with a target ratio, and adjusting the time that the needles penetrate the meat product so that the next meat product will have its weight ratio adjusted towards the target ratio if a variance with target ratio exists with respect to the first injected meat product.

Abstract: An on-line method for the continuous generation of alkali metal salts includes continuously reacting a source of acidity, a liquid having a low pH value, with a source of alkalinity, a liquid having a high pH value, while continuously monitoring an electrical parameter of the resultant in salt which is indicative of its pH value. The monitored value is used to adjust the relative flow rates of the input liquids so as to dynamically maintain the pH value of the resultant salt within a predetermined range. In an apparatus, the input liquids can be continuously supplied to a reacting element and the conductance of the resultant salt monitored for purposes of providing feedback control signals to adjust one or more flow rates.

Abstract: A tomato peeling machine is disclosed which includes an inclined, cylindrical steam chamber having star valves at its input and output ends. A feed screw is concentrically mounted therewithin and drives tomatoes through a biphasic environment comprised of an aqueous condensate solution of naphthalene sulfonate and steam vapor. A fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the steam chamber is connected to a water source as well as to a chemical reservoir containing concentrated solution of naphthalene sulfonate. The fluid delivery conduit includes flow-regulating apparatus and the steam chamber includes condensate level-controlling apparatus. A vacuum chamber is provided downstream of the steam chamber, and a vacuum pump draws vapors out of the vacuum chamber into a condensing chamber. A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soaking system for solids. The system includes stacked tanks each of which has a conical bottom. The tanks are connected through perforated valves through which the solids move from the top and water is fed from the bottom. The solids are soaked in a counterflowing water. In one embodiment, two or more similar units are stacked one upon the other for more efficient operation.

Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.

Abstract: The invention proposes the damping of grain, for example, by creating a rotating layer (20) in a damping chamber (2) with the help of acceleration rotors (3). For this, the cross-section of the rotation chamber is designed to form an outer boundary around two or, preferably, three acceleration rotors (3, 3', 3"). In this way, the rotating layer is forced into an eccentric and spiralling motion within the damping chamber (2). Damping is carried out in a very gentle manner, so that there occurs hardly any abrasion and no grain damage. Additional advantages include a longer and controllable reaction period during damping, optimized preparation for milling and a shorter, controllable tempering period.

Abstract: Simulated egg yolk in the nature of a thermoreversible, preferably homogenized, gel which is non-flowable at room temperature is extruded into disk-like shapes. A restrictive barrier is formed around the egg yolk disks by a reverse method of first contacting the non-flowable yolk with a setting agent such as calcium chloride in water and then with a film former such as sodium alginate in water. The resulting simulated egg yolk looks and behaves like natural egg yolk and may be incorporated into natural egg white while preserving a separate phase, so one can make "sunny side up" and "easy over" eggs.

Abstract: A method of packaging meat emulsion in a flexible thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag has dispersed on its insides, prior to insertion of the meat emulsion into the bag, additives such as liquid colorant or liquid smoke, via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers), is shown. An apparatus for dispersing the additives via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers) is also shown.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying liquid to particulate materials using a single drive motor to operate both the upper particle dispersing disc and the lower liquid dispersing disc, the latter disc being driven at a much higher speed than the former. The two dispersing discs have coaxial drive, one hollow drive shaft within the other, but are driven at different rotational speeds optimum for the material being dispersed from the respective discs. The liquid is fed through the inner hollow drive shaft to its disc. The particulate feed rate is controllable with a presettable throttling or feed rate regulator sleeve. The sleeve has tooth features cooperative with abutment features of the underlying particle dispersing disc to neutralize lumps, chunks and pieces of paper and the like in the feed material.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method, particularly applicable to a brush bed conveyor system, by which objects, typically citrus fruit, are washed or sprayed. A moveable high pressure spray manifold is contained within a manifold carriage and is disposed within the conveyor chassis such that it is moved along above a brush bed by a conveyor chain. Separation bars extend from the conveyor chain to segregate the objects into queues retained within the spray pattern of the manifold. When the manifold reaches a predetermined end position, a release latch is decoupled from the separation bars to disconnect the separation bars and conveyor chain from the manifold carriage. The predetermined end position is sensed and the manifold carriage is quickly returned to its initial position by means of a selectively activated pneumatic piston assembly.

Abstract: A method of packaging meat emulsion in a flexible thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag has dispersed on its insides, prior to insertion of the meat emulsion into the bag, additives such as liquid colorant or liquid smoke, via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers), is shown. An apparatus for dispersing the additives via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers) is also shown.

Abstract: Described is a method, particularly applicable to a brush bed conveyor system, by which objects, typically citrus fruit, are washed or sprayed. A moveable high pressure spray manifold is contained within a manifold carriage and is disposed within the conveyor chassis such that it is moved along above a brush bed by a conveyor chain. Separation bars extend from the conveyor chain to segregate the objects into queues retained within the spray pattern of the manifold. When the manifold reaches a predetermined end position, a release latch is decoupled from the separation bars to disconnect the separation bars and conveyor chain from the manifold carriage. The predetermined end position is sensed and the manifold carriage is quickly returned to its initial position by means of a selectively activated pneumatic piston assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for extraction of edible oils from finely divided oleagenous vegetable matter by flowing solvent vapor through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the vegetable matter at a temperature not greater than about 210.degree. F., to form a miscella of solvent and extracted oil, separating a portion of the miscella from the marc, and blowing a gas through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the marc and remaining miscella to separate additional miscella. The flow of gas through the bed cools the bed to provide cooling for heat exchanger water to be used in the process.

Abstract: During conveying of frozen meat, the frozen meat is immersed in a first treating liquid, e.g. salt water, to thaw and wash the meat surface, and then the frozen meat is immersed in a second treating liquid, e.g. alkali, to provide a quality maintaining treatment.

Abstract: There are disclosed two types of apparatus using membrane extractions of citrus juice bittering agents, both using extraction fluids. In one type, a membrane contactor facilitates contact between bittering agents present in a citrus juice feed and a hydrophobic bittering agents extraction fluid; a second membrane contactor may be used to extract bittering agents from the hydrophobic extraction fluid by use of a basic stripping fluid on the permeate side. In a second type, an immobilized liquid membrane containing hydrophobic extraction fluid supported within the pores of a microporous hydrophobic polymeric membrane is used to facilitate transport of bittering agents across the membrane.

Abstract: A food material which is hermetically accommodated in a heating unit is heated and a generated aroma component is delivered by a carrier gas supply unit together with a carrier gas through connection pipe to an aroma component dissolving and capturing unit including a hermetically sealed container in which an aroma dissolving solution is stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating fat from a formed ground meat product while maintaining desireable texture and other eating qualities, comprising the steps of placing the product on a support member configured to promote the flow of fat away from the product; bringing the product to a temperature at which a substantial proportion of the fat contained in the meat is liquified; and compressing the product against the support member only after the product has reached the temperature at which a substantial portion of the fat contained in the meat is liquified, by applying a rolling pressure which repeatedly traverses the product in a plane parallel to the support member for a period and at a pressure level sufficient to exude a substantial portion of the liquified fat from the product. During at least part of the time when rolling pressure is applied, a non-fat liquid is supplied to the top surface of the product.

Abstract: A garlic membrane peeling machine comprising a store tank, a drying funnel, a membrane peeling cylinder, a hot air tube connected with a blower and a push device combined together. The store tank is mounted on the drying funnel, under which the membrane peeling cylider is connected, and the push device is set partly in the drying funnel and partly in the membrane peeling cylinder. The hot air tube is connected with the double-layered wall of the drying funnel to send hot air through an aperture between the double-layered wall in the funnel to dry the garlic bulbs coming down from the store tank. Then dried garlic bulbs are loosened by the push device to fall down in the membrane peeling cylinder to have their membranes peeled off by helical air current caused by sent-in compressed air and those membranes peeled off are blown out of an exhaust tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fresh fruit to prevent and retard the growth of fungus. The techniques of the invention include simultaneously scrubbing the fresh fruit while drenching with a falling liquid containing a fungicide. Large volumes of liquid are used and the liquid can be recycled. The liquid also removes dirt and debris and, while containing a rather small amount of fungicide, such amount is present in a concentration sufficient to apply a coating to the fruit at the end of the scrubbing step given proper pH control. The pH of the solution is controlled. During the scrubbing step, the fruit is continuously rotated to provide even fungicidal deposit.

Abstract: A vessel for treating a finely-divided material, such as granules, powder, flakes and the like with a fluid, comprising an essentially closed wall having product feed and discharge means for feeding finely-divided material to and discharging it from the vessel, and also fluid feed and discharge means for feeding fluid to and discharging it from the vessel, one of the fluid feed and discharge means in each case opening into the bottom region of the vessel and the other into the top region, wherein between the fluid feed and discharge means sieve means are provided for preventing entrainment of finely-divided material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for spraying a liquid treatment agent onto cereal grains. it consists of at least one tubular frame (1 . . . 8) provided with at least one row of perforations (1), the interior of the frame being connected to a pressurized source of supply of a liquid treatment agent for cereal grains through a supply line (9), the said frame being of such a size as to surround an opening in a structure through which cereal grains are made to flow by gravity or under pressure.

Abstract: A flavored shaved cube ice machine that includes a cube ice shaver arranged within a cabinet. A shaving head, of the cube ice shaver is adjacent to receive cubes of ice from a bin and mounts a ring shaped blade wherein lateral slots are formed at intervals therealong that include outwardly projecting cutting edges. A wheel mounting paddle is journalled to be turned by an electric motor within the shaving head and is open to receive and move ice cubes feed from the bin against the ring-shaped blade that peels ice shavings from the individual cubes of ice and forces that shave ice through the slots and out through a discharge chute into a catchment vessel.

Abstract: An installation for processing foods such as fresh fruits and sea foods in a sterilized condition for subsequent freezing and storage operation is disclosed.The present invention is characterized by that said installation comprises a tunnel shaped sterilized chamber, a number of glove pairs provided on so many openings on the both lateral sides of the sterilized chamber, a partition wall formed at the inlet of sterilized chamber and a solution circulator channel for circulation of washing and sterilizing solution which conveys fresh foods such as fruits and sea foods from outside into the sterilized chamber while washing and sterilizing them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fresh fruit to prevent and retard the growth of fungus. The techniques of the invention include simultaneously scrubbing the fresh fruit while drenching with a falling liquid containing a fungicide. Large volumes of liquid are used and the liquid can be recycled. The liquid also removes dirt and debris and, while containing a rather small amount of fungicide, such amount is present in a concentration sufficient to apply a coating to the fruit at the end of the scrubbing step given proper pH control. The pH of the solution is controlled. During the scrubbing step, the fruit is continuously rotated to provide even fungicidal deposit.

Abstract: The invention provides novel feedstuffs for ruminants comprising an edible water insoluble salt of an edible higher fatty acid, free fat, excess of the salt-forming metal, and optionally a further nutritional material, expecially a proteinaceous feedstuff such as soya bean meal. Such feedstuffs may be produced by forming a mixture of a basic oxide such as calcium oxide, a mixture of fatty acid and triglycerides, water and optionally the further nutritional material, and allowing the oxide to react with the acid to form the water-insoluble salt. The hot reacting mixture is spread out so that water evaporates spontaneously and a friable product is obtained. The process is operated continuously.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improvement to an apparatus, and a method for applying a thin layer of liquid at the circumference of a stream of meat product before it enters a casing. Preferably, the liquid being applied is liquid smoke thereby avoiding the necessity of further smoking treatment of the sausage to achieve the desired taste and appearance of a smoked sausage.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing a food piece includes at least one stationary feeding channel for serially feeding food pieces. The feeding channel has a feed outlet through which food pieces pass prior to slicing thereof. At least one moving slicing assembly including a first planar support surface on which the food piece exiting the feed outlet rests prior to a slice being cut is provided, the first support surface being disposed at a distance below the feed outlet about equal to the desired slice thickness. The fixed slicing blade is maintained at a set distance from the first support surface and adjacent to the feed outlet to sever a slice from the food piece, the distance between the first support surface and the slicing blade defining a slice exit through which individual slices exit the slicing assembly.

Abstract: For making food pellets, the raw material is first subjected to a first pelleting treatment under pressure, after which the obtained pelleted product is treated at least in part on a pressure pelleter at least for a second time. A feeding arrangement for feeding the material once pelleted to a pelleting die is respectively arranged either within a single pressure pelleter or between two pressure pelleters connected in series for carrying out such process.

Abstract: Baled animal feed material is improved by being moved onto a vehicle either by a lifting mechanism at the side of the vehicle or by a platform which takes the bale directly from a baler. On the vehicle is firstly mounted a wrapping station in the form of a cradle which rotates the bale about its axis and about an axis at right angles to the bale so that the plastic strip material is wrapped around the bale and around the ends of the bale. A probe is moved forwardly hydraulically to enter the bale along its axis following which anhydrous ammonia from a volumetric measuring device is injected under pressure from a hydraulic supply through the probe into the bale.

Abstract: Food piece slices serially formed by the blade of a slicer are captured with a moving stream of liquid and carried in the moving stream of liquid during free-fall of the liquid under the influence of gravity to a moving conveyor belt where the slices are monolayered.

Abstract: The present invention employs an arrangement of multiple containers for marinating food. The container arrangement includes an inner container having a bottom wall and side walls which define a food holding chamber. A plurality of apertures are provided in the bottom wall of the inner container for marinade to passage. The inner container further has a noncircular cross sectional configuration defining a plurality of bottom corners. An outer container similarly has a bottom wall and side walls defining a marinade holding chamber for holding a given level of marinade. The outer container is configured in to accept the inner container. Alternatively, the side walls support the inner container in an elevated position on rotation thereof relative to the outer containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and at the same time cooling sensitive and perishable goods such as sliced vegetables by means of an auger including a transport screw disposed in a trough-like housing provided with an insulating jacket and an insulated lid arranged in spaced relationship from the transport screw, wherein the transport screw has coils with bulged rounded outer edges which are spaced from the trough housing wall and wherein a coolant injection pipe is disposed in the space between the transport screw and the lid of the trough for introducing a cooling fluid into the trough while the goods are moved therethrough thereby providing direct contact of the cooling fluid with the large surface area of the goods to be cooled for efficient and rapid cooling of the goods.

Abstract: A shipping drum containing liquid poloxalene is supported in tilted orientation on a platform scale, and a spigot at the lower end of the drum is operable to cause the poloxalene to flow through piping means and into a pressure vessel. The platform scale provides indication of the amounts of poloxalane received by the vessel. Subsequently, the vessel is sealed and pressurized to approximately 50-60 psi whereupon a valve is opened so that the poloxalene is directed out of the vessel and into a conduit means. A plurality of discharge orifices disposed in the conduit means overlie a dry feed mixer, and the mixer is operable to constantly agitate a quantity of solid carrier such as a vitamin and mineral supplement or, alternatively, a grain such as cracked corn or milo. The mixer provides relative motion between all of the carrier granules and the discharge orifices so that the poloxalene is evenly distributed over substantially all surfaces of the granules.

Abstract: A method for the protection or preservation of a baled ruminant forage material, such as baled hay which is intended to be utilized as a cattle feed, or the treatment of a soil surface through injection with a liquid preservative and, more particularly, a novel and unique method for the injection of pressurized liquid preservatives such a anhydrous ammonia or proprionic acid, into the baled ruminant forage material or soil. Moreover, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel apparatus for effecting the injection of the pressured liquid preservative through the intermediary of the inventive method. When used with a baler, the injection system does not need to cycle with the baler, but injects the liquid preservative into the bale subsequent to the bale having been completely formed, and without the necessity for any reciprocating injector needles or probes having to penetrate into the baled ruminant forage material.

Abstract: In a method for treating straw placed in a processing chamber (6) with gaseous ammonia, the gaseous ammonia is supplied in aqueous solution (2) and liberated by heating with a heater (5) to circulate within the straw in the processing chamber. By supplying the ammonia in solution, it is possible to use an ammonia source in the form of solutions readily available on most markets, even in less technically developed countries.When the surplus ammonia is removed from the straw (FIG. 3), it is washed out of the air/gas mixture leaving the processing chamber by the use of a scrubber (8) so that no or substantially no ammonia is discharged to atmosphere. The liquid from the scrubber (8) is kept in reservoirs (14,15) for use in treating the next batch of straw, or drained off to liquid manure as shown.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of continuously showering liquid smoke to meat, fish, cheese, or other edible products are disclosed in which the edible products are placed on a chain conveyor and are automatically conveyed past a shower station at which point relatively large droplets or streams of recirculated liquid smoke are showered on the product. The products are then conveyed through a drying (and optional rinse) station and are thence conveyed to a product removal station.