Abstract:
An inner vertically upright perforated conduit (12) is concentric within an outer vertically upright conduit (10). The chamber (26) between the conduits is separated by fluid impervious rings forming sub-chambers (26', 26'', 26'''). Hot curd cooking water is injected into the various sub-chambers in controlled amounts through corresponding valves to provide cheese at 135 DEG F at the bottom exit port of the cheese passageway formed by the inner conduit. The water and curd/cheese together form a pressure head of at least about 2 psi at the bottom of the conduits. Raw curd is fed in a continuous process to the top of the inner conduit producing finished cheese at the bottom without moving parts. A shredder at the bottom automatically shreds the cheese. The shredder includes a rotating blade with blow out apertures for ejecting shredded cheese from a fixed shredding plate. The shredded cheese is automatically cooled and salted in a single continuous process.
Abstract:
An apparatus and process for producing reduced and low-fat, high-quality pasta filata cheese incorportaes a rice-based cheese substitute into freshly manufactured past filata cheese through a kneading, spraying process that preserves the integrity of the cheese's fiber structure. The rice based cheese substitute may be manufactured on-site with a heated double walled vessel equipped with a high shear mixer and recirculating shear pump.
Abstract:
A method for production of cheese, comprising in that from 0.07 to 1.0 % of carbon dioxide is dissolved in the processed milk before formation of coagulum, next in the formed coagulum its liberation in form of bubbles is induced by a decrease of pressure or an increase of temperature of coagulum under a constant pressure, froth with the drained grain is separated from whey, and the curd grain is quickly pressed which results in its full blending. An apparatus for periodic production of cheese, consisting of a hermetic tank which has a chamber inside having a variable volume, and a float (4) which has a flat upper surface and a hydrostatic lift sufficient to raise all of the grain above the surface of the whey. An apparatus with a tubular coagulator for continuous production of cheese, consisting of a vertical flow tank (2), tapered in both its upper and lower part, equipped at its bottom with an expansion valve (7) which comes out by an outlet in the bottom of the tank, protrudes above the level of the bottom, and is connected with a coagulator (1), in its upper part, the tank (2) is connected by an outlet opening with the vacuum chamber (3), which in turn is connected with an expeller (4), and this is connected with a horizontal or slanting molding tube (5), equipped with a cooling jacket (13), and having an outlet immersed in a brine tank (6).
Abstract:
An apparatus for the continuous production of soft protein foods wherein the liquid protein source remains enclosed, passing through a heat exchanger followed by one or more holding tubes, passing into coagulation tubes. The product exits onto a perforated conveyor belt, permitting drainage of a liquid by-product. This invention also includes processes for producing various soft protein foods such as acid-curd cheeses, whey cheeses, soyfood, and casein.
Abstract:
An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts (48, 50) and vertical agitators (36) positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs (44, 46) that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen (86) by an inlet deflector plate (82), which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. A salting apparatus (114) is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salting apparatus has a pump that moves a fluid, such as filtered air, through a Venturi pickup tee (130), where it creates a partial vacuum that pulls salt into the airstream from the chamber. The salt then is pushed through stationary salt distribution tubes (20, 22) and applied to the food to be salted.
Abstract:
Process for preparing fresh cheese having a fancy shape wherein fresh cheese is extruded through a nozzle in such condition that the shape of the product as extruded does not collapse and fancy shaped portion of fresh cheese is obtained.
Abstract:
A tower block cheese forming apparatus and method. Known towers (1) of this type have been limited in height. This tower is of a height substantially greater than known towers and this enables increased through-put. The cheese column of this tower has a height extension (2) or (2a) provided on the perforated column (2) characteristic of these towers with in one embodiment the extension (2a) being free of any drain perforations (4). In a second embodiment the column extension including drain perforations (4). In this latter form the outer casing of the tower is also extended and the tower may be fabricated as a unitary body (1a). In a modification of the invention a column extension (2a) is provided together with a seal (5) which enables adaption of existing towers (1) to an increased height in accordance with this invention.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for manufacturing mozzarella cheese. Cheese curd is cooked and stretched in a heated water bath (2), augers (3) mounted therein transporting the curd therethrough to an outlet (8). The outlet (8) conjoins with a conduit (7), controlled by valves (9), to provide a pressurized supply of curd to a bank of fill-heads (10). Each fill-head (10) includes two volumetric metering compartments (13) which provide a dual discharge at an outlet (12) thereof. Hoops (14) are placed at the outlets (12) to be charged from the fill-heads (10). A hoop (14) can have a divider (19) inserted therein to divide the hoop (14) into two compartments (20 and 21) corresponding to those of the fill-heads (10). Before charging plastic liner bags (50) are placed in each hoop (14) or hoop compartment (20 and 21) as appropriate. The liners (50) are subsequently vacuum sealed and then immersed while in their loops (14) in a cooling bath (32). After the cheese has sufficiently solidified the hoops (14) are unloaded from the bath (32) and the sealed cheese blocks (47) removed from the hoops.
Abstract:
A process and an apparatus for the production of cheese on the basis of milk or milk products whereafter pasteurizing and partially cooling the material, said material is subjected to membrane filtration, further cooling, dosing of rennet and starter and optionally other additives, mixing and casting followed by after-treatment and curing, whereby the membrane filtration is carried out to obtain a retentate with a dry matter content of x % by weight, wherein x is between 38 + 1/3 (y - 20) and 44 + 1/3 (y - 20) and wherein y is the fat content in % by weight calculated in relation to the dry matter content, whereby the retentate is subjected to heat treatment, whereupon the material is cooled to a temperature not higher than 40 DEG C before dosing the rennet and the starter and whereby the viscosity of the material is kept below 60,000 cP when starting the dosing. By the process an interesting new type of cheese having a high quality and being reasonably priced is obtained.