The present invention relates to a system for the compact packaging of microfibrillated cellulose, which comprises a packaging, which comprises at least one polymer material. Said packaging encompasses a content that essentially consists of microfibrillated cellulose (“MFC”) that is present as a suspension in a solvent. The resulting system is of an essentially round or essentially rectangular or oval outer circumference, as defined by the dimensions of the packaging once fully filled out by the content. The system of the invention has the advantage, among others, to provide a solid and firm essentially round packaging shape. The resulting units of packaged MFC can be easily stacked on a pallet. The packaging maintains the water retention capacity of the suspension (paste). The present invention also relates to a process for making such a system.

The present invention relates to a system for the compact packaging of microfibrillated cellulose, which comprises a packaging, which comprises at least one polymer material. Said packaging encompasses a content that essentially consists of microfibrillated cellulose (“MFC”) that is present as a suspension in a solvent. The resulting system is of an essentially round or essentially rectangular or oval outer circumference, as defined by the dimensions of the packaging once fully filled out by the content. The system of the invention has the advantage, among others, to provide a solid and firm essentially round packaging shape. The resulting units of packaged MFC can be easily stacked on a pallet. The packaging maintains the water retention capacity of the suspension (paste). The present invention also relates to a process for making such a system.

A doser mechanism includes a cylindrical shell, an auger conveyor, and a check valve. The cylindrical shell includes a hollow cylinder and an end plate. The hollow cylinder at least partially defines an internal enclosure extending between first and second ends of the hollow cylinder, a first opening at the first end, and a second opening through a thickness of the hollow cylinder. The end plate covers the second end. The auger conveyor includes an auger at least partially extending through the internal enclosure through the first end. The check valve has a valve member configured to selectively cover the second opening. The check valve may cause the valve member move between a rest position and an open position to cover or expose the second opening in response to a magnitude of a force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening.

A doser mechanism includes a cylindrical shell, an auger conveyor, and a check valve. The cylindrical shell includes a hollow cylinder and an end plate. The hollow cylinder at least partially defines an internal enclosure extending between first and second ends of the hollow cylinder, a first opening at the first end, and a second opening through a thickness of the hollow cylinder. The end plate covers the second end. The auger conveyor includes an auger at least partially extending through the internal enclosure through the first end. The check valve has a valve member configured to selectively cover the second opening. The check valve may cause the valve member move between a rest position and an open position to cover or expose the second opening in response to a magnitude of a force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening.

Disclosed is an automatic sealant production line, including a sealant preparation apparatus and a packaging apparatus. The sealant preparation apparatus includes a material storage device, a liquid storage device, a material sending device, a lateral material feeding device, a first-order screw unit, a first liquid feeding device, a heat exchanger, a second-order screw unit, a pigment feeding device, a cooler and a buffer tank device. The packaging apparatus includes a filling device and a packaging device.

Disclosed is an automatic sealant production line, including a sealant preparation apparatus and a packaging apparatus. The sealant preparation apparatus includes a material storage device, a liquid storage device, a material sending device, a lateral material feeding device, a first-order screw unit, a first liquid feeding device, a heat exchanger, a second-order screw unit, a pigment feeding device, a cooler and a buffer tank device. The packaging apparatus includes a filling device and a packaging device.

A food processing apparatus used in household kitchens provides the ability to fill pouches or personal containers with food automatically. The apparatus may include a food source container, a motor, and a mechanical displacement pump. The source container typically rests on top of the pump; which is driven by a motor connected to a power source. Food is placed in the source container, which has an opening on the bottom side to allow the food to pass into the pump. The pump moves the food through a discharge port on one side. A single food pouch, or many pouches using optional connectors, is connected to the discharge port of the pump. The apparatus may be used to fill containers with soft foods like yogurt. Typically, harder textured foods like sweet potatoes need to be softened. In at least one embodiment, the need to manually press food, is eliminated.

A food kit may include a food item, a shaped food seasoning product, and a container. In some examples, the shaped food seasoning product defines a three-dimensional shape and includes a binder material binding the shaped food seasoning product together to define the three-dimensional shape and seasoning. The seasoning may form greater than 20 weight percent of the shaped food seasoning product. The container may enclose the food item and the shaped food seasoning product so that the food item and the shaped food seasoning product are contained inside the container. During use, a consumer may transfer the contents of the food kit to a cooking container and add liquid to the container, causing the shaped food seasoning product to dissolve and release the seasoning bound in the seasoning product.

A food kit may include a food item, a shaped food seasoning product, and a container. In some examples, the shaped food seasoning product defines a three-dimensional shape and includes a binder material binding the shaped food seasoning product together to define the three-dimensional shape and seasoning. The seasoning may form greater than 20 weight percent of the shaped food seasoning product. The container may enclose the food item and the shaped food seasoning product so that the food item and the shaped food seasoning product are contained inside the container. During use, a consumer may transfer the contents of the food kit to a cooking container and add liquid to the container, causing the shaped food seasoning product to dissolve and release the seasoning bound in the seasoning product.

Method and apparatus for twist linking tubular casings for stuffing tubular casings is disclosed. A method for twist linking tubular casings includes twisting a tubular casing such that the number of twists per portion or per group of portions is varied during the processing of a tubular casing. An apparatus for twist linking tubular casings, which is configured to twist the tubular casings to form portions having a variable number of twists per portion or per group of portions, includes a control unit configured to perform the disclosed method for twist linking tubular casings.