A method and apparatus for forming food product includes a plurality of links forming a generally continuous conveyor, the plurality of links each forming at least one cavity together with a longitudinally adjacent link wherein the longitudinally adjacent link includes a pivotable tongue that pivots through the cavity as the generally continuous conveyor reaches an end of its horizontal path.

A method and apparatus for forming food product includes a plurality of links forming a generally continuous conveyor, the plurality of links each forming at least one cavity together with a longitudinally adjacent link wherein the longitudinally adjacent link includes a pivotable tongue that pivots through the cavity as the generally continuous conveyor reaches an end of its horizontal path.

An apparatus for fusing curd provided and comprises a container to receive curd to form a curd stack, which has associated thereto a pressure parameter specifying a pressure required at the bottom of the curd stack to produce a curd block from a bottom portion of the curd stack. The apparatus also comprises a gas pressure system to apply a gas overpressure in the container when a pressure value at the bottom of the curd stack is below the pressure parameter. The gas overpressure has a value equal to or greater than a difference between the pressure required at the bottom of the curd stack and the pressure value at the bottom of the curd stack. A method for fusing curd is also provided and includes applying an overpressure to a curd stack to compensate for insufficient pressure at the bottom of the curd stack.

An apparatus for cheese production, in particular a cassette press and an articulated tube arrangement for feeding cheese raw mixture from a cheese maker into molds of the cassette press, wherein the most uniform, constant filling can be achieved. The device has a trough open in plan view, a pressing head having a plurality of press plungers aligned on the cheese molds for pressing the cheese raw mixture and a distributor head for filling in the cheese raw mixture. The distributor head is movable along the longitudinal sides of the trough. The distributor head is rotatably coupled to an articulated tube arrangement for feeding the cheese raw mixture of a cheese maker.

An apparatus for cheese production, in particular a cassette press and an articulated tube arrangement for feeding cheese raw mixture from a cheese maker into molds of the cassette press, wherein the most uniform, constant filling can be achieved. The device has a trough open in plan view, a pressing head having a plurality of press plungers aligned on the cheese molds for pressing the cheese raw mixture and a distributor head for filling in the cheese raw mixture. The distributor head is movable along the longitudinal sides of the trough. The distributor head is rotatably coupled to an articulated tube arrangement for feeding the cheese raw mixture of a cheese maker.

The process immerses a plurality of smaller solids in a liquid softening/solvent/bonding agent (i.e. water, oils, solvent or some other combination). This reagent reacts with the solids over a period of time so that when the cavity containing the solid/liquid mixture is compressed, the solids and any other additives (i.e. oatmeal, spices, other foreign objects, etc . . . ) are forced together and force the liquid softening/solvent/bonding agent out. The expelled liquids are removed from the solids and additives which are then allowed to dry/bond/fuse thereby forming a solid bond. Whereas there is prior art utilizing aspects of this process specifically in soap scrap bonding, this method is the only method of compressing solids that does not require electricity and where the disparate solid pieces and the bonding agent/liquid are all contained in one vessel that enable the solids to react with the liquids and then be compressed removing the bonding agent/liquid and leaving only the solids which can then form a permanent bond, all in one device (see FIG. 8: Novel Mould Assembly , FIG. 10—Mould Assembly Option, FIG. 12—Novel Mould Assembly with Option Plunger Design). Furthermore, this design can incorporate the collection and if desired recycling of the reagent within the mould itself (i.e. a hollow cavity in the plunger and if necessary a collection vessel attached to the cap and/or stabilizing base). Finally, the plunger design allows the device to be used with or without any mechanical aids to prevent it from binding during longitudinal movement during compression of the mould/plunger. This, first of all, simplifies the mechanics of the device and allows the mould to be used by young and old alike regardless of ability.

This device will have applications in many industries but especially the craft industry (i.e. cheese making and soap making).

The process immerses a plurality of smaller solids in a liquid softening/solvent/bonding agent (i.e. water, oils, solvent or some other combination). This reagent reacts with the solids over a period of time so that when the cavity containing the solid/liquid mixture is compressed, the solids and any other additives (i.e. oatmeal, spices, other foreign objects, etc . . . ) are forced together and force the liquid softening/solvent/bonding agent out. The expelled liquids are removed from the solids and additives which are then allowed to dry/bond/fuse thereby forming a solid bond. Whereas there is prior art utilizing aspects of this process specifically in soap scrap bonding, this method is the only method of compressing solids that does not require electricity and where the disparate solid pieces and the bonding agent/liquid are all contained in one vessel that enable the solids to react with the liquids and then be compressed removing the bonding agent/liquid and leaving only the solids which can then form a permanent bond, all in one device (see FIG. 8: Novel Mould Assembly , FIG. 10—Mould Assembly Option, FIG. 12—Novel Mould Assembly with Option Plunger Design). Furthermore, this design can incorporate the collection and if desired recycling of the reagent within the mould itself (i.e. a hollow cavity in the plunger and if necessary a collection vessel attached to the cap and/or stabilizing base). Finally, the plunger design allows the device to be used with or without any mechanical aids to prevent it from binding during longitudinal movement during compression of the mould/plunger. This, first of all, simplifies the mechanics of the device and allows the mould to be used by young and old alike regardless of ability.

This device will have applications in many industries but especially the craft industry (i.e. cheese making and soap making).

A cheese moulding device with an enhanced level of hygiene. The invention relates to a cheese moulding device (100) comprising: at least one moulding drum (1) comprising a lower portion comprising a base (3) delimiting an open enclosure shaped to receive at least one cheese mould (13), at least one mobile plate (12) configured to support the at least one cheese mould (13), the mobile plate (12) being shaped to seal the lower portion of the moulding drum (1) in a first so-called sealing position and to allow access to said cheese mould (13) in a second so-called retracted position, at least one washing circuit configured to clean said moulding device (100), said washing circuit comprising at least one section of circuit (15) opening into the lower portion of the moulding drum (1), characterised in that the moulding device (100) further comprises at least one protective casing (4) positioned between the base (3) of the moulding cylinder (1) and the mobile plate (12), said protective casing (4) delimiting an enclosure that is sealed relative to the outside of the moulding device (100).

A cheese moulding device with an enhanced level of hygiene. The invention relates to a cheese moulding device (100) comprising: at least one moulding drum (1) comprising a lower portion comprising a base (3) delimiting an open enclosure shaped to receive at least one cheese mould (13), at least one mobile plate (12) configured to support the at least one cheese mould (13), the mobile plate (12) being shaped to seal the lower portion of the moulding drum (1) in a first so-called sealing position and to allow access to said cheese mould (13) in a second so-called retracted position, at least one washing circuit configured to clean said moulding device (100), said washing circuit comprising at least one section of circuit (15) opening into the lower portion of the moulding drum (1), characterised in that the moulding device (100) further comprises at least one protective casing (4) positioned between the base (3) of the moulding cylinder (1) and the mobile plate (12), said protective casing (4) delimiting an enclosure that is sealed relative to the outside of the moulding device (100).

A crate (1) for a cheese, said crate (1) comprising a base (2), an open top (3) substantially parallel to the base (2), a peripheral wall (4), the peripheral wall (4) forming a closed contour and forming with the base (2) a space (8) intended to receive the cheese, the peripheral wall (4) comprising a medium portion (29) which is approximately at mid-height of the space (8) intended to receive the cheese and further having at least one through-hole (36, 60) formed therein.

The peripheral wall (4) comprises a solid strip (27) enclosing the space (8) intended to receive the cheese while being substantially parallel to the base (2), said solid strip (27) including the medium portion (29) of the peripheral wall (4) and having a minimum height which is at least 15% of the height of the space (8) intended to receive the cheese.