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.

A countertop cooking appliance is an apparatus that is used to manufacture food, particularly cheeses, with controlled heating, mixing, drainage, and pressure cycles. The apparatus is also configured to accept various cooking patterns for different foods based on different recipes. A perforated drainer is used to hold ingredients for mixing, completed cheese curds, and the finalized cheese product. A first receptacle is a container that holds the perforated drainer and temporarily stores whey and process byproducts. A second receptacle is a storage unit for whey and other liquid byproducts produced in the cheese development process. A fluid pump applies pressure to fluids collected in the first receptacle, transferring them to the second receptacle. A linear actuator provides mechanical power to one of several detachable food-interacting heads, which consequently chops, mixes, or otherwise agitates the contents of the perforated container.

A countertop cooking appliance is an apparatus that is used to manufacture food, particularly cheeses, with controlled heating, mixing, drainage, and pressure cycles. The apparatus is also configured to accept various cooking patterns for different foods based on different recipes. A perforated drainer is used to hold ingredients for mixing, completed cheese curds, and the finalized cheese product. A first receptacle is a container that holds the perforated drainer and temporarily stores whey and process byproducts. A second receptacle is a storage unit for whey and other liquid byproducts produced in the cheese development process. A fluid pump applies pressure to fluids collected in the first receptacle, transferring them to the second receptacle. A linear actuator provides mechanical power to one of several detachable food-interacting heads, which consequently chops, mixes, or otherwise agitates the contents of the perforated container.

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.

A cheese curd log, including a cheese curd log first end, a cheese curd log second end, and a cheese curd log length, wherein the cheese curd log length extends between the cheese curd log first end and the cheese curd log second end, wherein the cheese curd log is formed into a log via an extrusion process using an extrusion device.

A method for manufacturing composite pasta filata cheese without loss of material or excess debris. Said method is achievable by avoiding use of liquid to control the temperature of the cheese. This is referred to as a dry method of manufacturing pasta filata cheese. The dry method of manufacturing in this case utilizing ohmic heating mechanisms and counter-rotating dual compression belt system to maintain a dry heating and cooling environment. Foreign food particles may be added to the cheese at various stages of manufacturing before it is molded and cooled to set to form a homogenous composite pasta filata cheese mixture.

The present disclosure provides an exemplary method for producing non-dairy cheese. In some embodiments, this novel process of making non-dairy cheese may be similar to the manufacturing of traditional dairy cheese. In some aspects, the seeds used in this process may be used for the production of other products that may or may not be related to the non-dairy cheese production. In some embodiments, different cultures may be added to the non-dairy cheese to give it different textures, chemical balances, tastes, and other attributes, as non-limiting examples. In some implementations, throughout the process, the pH and moisture levels may be monitored, which may ensure the mixture reaches target levels at each step of the process. In some aspects, other criteria based on weight of cheese, amount of culture added, and other non-limiting factors may impact the production of the non-dairy cheese.

The present disclosure provides an exemplary method for producing non-dairy cheese. In some embodiments, this novel process of making non-dairy cheese may be similar to the manufacturing of traditional dairy cheese. In some aspects, the seeds used in this process may be used for the production of other products that may or may not be related to the non-dairy cheese production. In some embodiments, different cultures may be added to the non-dairy cheese to give it different textures, chemical balances, tastes, and other attributes, as non-limiting examples. In some implementations, throughout the process, the pH and moisture levels may be monitored, which may ensure the mixture reaches target levels at each step of the process. In some aspects, other criteria based on weight of cheese, amount of culture added, and other non-limiting factors may impact the production of the non-dairy cheese.

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).