Food Engineering articles from January 2004

Food Engineering archives from January 2004

The next backlash: theft of the pursuit of happiness.(Editor's Note)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... I WAS NEVER ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE who made serious new year's resolutions or enjoyed end of year predictions about the year to come--expect for the humor value often found in both instances. However, I came across some forecasts just before the...

Calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... JANUARY 2004 19-20 Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exhibition, Portland, OR; 503-327-2200; www.nwfpa.org. 19-23 Refrigeration Technology, Manhattan, KS, American Institute of Baking; 800-633-5137 or 785-537-4750;...

Dry solids processing equipment.(Profile)(Metalfab, Vernon, New Jersey)
January 1, 2004... Capabilities Founded in 1977. Metalfab is a recognized worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of dependable, high performance dry solids processing equipment and controls for precise, economical handling of a wide range of powders,...

Plumrose USA.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... Plumrose USA is doubling the size of its Council Bluffs, IA, meat plant to 56,000-sq. ft. The $14 million expansion project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2004. Approximately $5 million of the total project cost will be invested in...

Greyston Bakery.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... The chief supplier of brownies for Ben & Jerry's ice cream products, Greyston Bakery opened a new 23,000-sq. ft. facility to expand its product line. The facility features a retail outlet, training center and state-of-the-art equipment that...

Turner Dairy Farms.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... Turner Dairy Farms opened a quality assurance facility that will enable it to expand its raw milk and finished product testing areas. The facility includes new equipment designed to test the butterfat level in Turner's products and a...

The Stellar Group.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... The Stellar Group completed engineering and construction of an 80,000-sq. ft. foodservice distribution center for Radhakrishna Foodland in Navi Mumbai, India.

Graham Packaging Co.'s.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... Designed to produce high performance bottles for Abbott Laboratories' adult nutritionals, Graham Packaging Co.'s new plant in Casa Grande, AZ, will include office, manufacturing and warehouse space. The 100,O00-sq. ft. facility will be located...

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... At 52,000-sq. ft., Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' new warehouse and distribution facility will incorporate material handling automation to improve the company's distribution efficiencies. The expansion project is expected to cost $8.4 million....

PTX Food Corp.(Plant Openings & Expansions)
January 1, 2004... PTX Food Corp. opened a 30,000-sq. ft. fermentation facility that is five times its former plant capacity.

Engineers, get ready to switch gears.(Manufacturing News)
January 1, 2004... If your goal is 100% consistent product, it may be time to reconsider some of your standard operating procedures. A process service company called Thinkage challenges food processors to take the road less traveled. According to Thinkage...

New limits for class action suits.(Regulatory Watch)
January 1, 2004... A bipartisan agreement in the Senate has cleared the way for new limits on class action lawsuits. The House earlier passed similar legislation. The Class Action Fairness Act prohibits class action settlements in which the class members actually...

ConAgra Foods.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... Scott Lutz has joined ConAgra Foods as president and chief operating officer of the Snack Foods Group. Formerly of General Mills, Lutz served as president and chief executive officer of the General Milts/Dupont soy beverage business.

Sodexho USA.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... Former Congressional staffer Frances Nam joins Sodexho USA as vice president of government affairs. Nam will work on the company's public policy initiatives and manage the activities of its political action committee.

FreshDirect.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... FreshDirect named Dean Furbush as chief operating officer He will focus on increasing operational efficiency and achieving profitability. Furbush previously held the role of executive vice president, transaction securities of the NASDAQ Stock...

American Frozen Food Institute.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... According to the American Frozen Food Institute, the frozen dinner and entree category continues to be the largest frozen food market sector with more than $5.9 billion in annual supermarket sales. To keep those entrees fresh, the cold storage...

Ralcorp Holdings.(Industry & People)(Nutcracker Brands Inc.)
January 1, 2004... Richard Koulouris was promoted to corporate vice president and president of Ralcorp Holdings' Bremner, Inc. and Nutcracker Brands, Inc. He will oversee all functions of the company's cracker & cookie and snack nuts & candy business units.

Smithfield Foods, Inc. signed an agreement to sell Schneider Corp., its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, to Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. for $378 million, including the assumption of Schneider's outstanding debt.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... Smithfield Foods, Inc. signed an agreement to sell Schneider Corp., its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, to Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. for $378 million, including the assumption of Schneider's outstanding debt. Smithfield additionally completed...

Interstate Bakeries Corp.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... A company-wide reorganization at Interstate Bakeries Corp. is underway to enhance management accountability, raise product quality standards, improve the company's customer interaction and realign the organization. As part of this...

Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... Christine Schaefer joins Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc. as market manager, food marketing. She previously worked as a marketing consultant to companies in the packaging industry and as marketing director at CCL Industries.

CFC Logistics'.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... CFC Logistics' 4.4 million cubic foot cold storage facility in Quakertown, PA, has become the only facility of its kind to operate a food irradiator inside its cold storage space.

CME Corporation-General Contractor.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... CME Corporation-General Contractor received an award of excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Indiana State Chapter. The award recognizes the company for its Cooper Farms Cooked Meats facility in Van Wert, OH.

An Xray inspection equipment manufacturer, Dylog SPA named Industrial Dynamics.(Industry & People)
January 1, 2004... An Xray inspection equipment manufacturer, Dylog SPA named Industrial Dynamics its U.S. distributor.

Shedding light on Salmonella outbreaks.(Manufacturing News)
January 1, 2004... About two million Salmonella cases are found in livestock in the United States each year, according to the Department of Agriculture. Now researchers are trying to help take the expense out of product recalls by making sure they don't happen in...

Retort pouches with zip: first commercial food applications are expected sometime this year.(Food Packaging)
January 1, 2004... RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS FOR RETORT MAY BE THE FINAL frontier for the flexible pouch. With development time lines that resemble NASA projects behind them, zipper manufacturers have crossed that frontier and anticipate the first commercial food...

Packaging moves fresh irradiated beef at Wegmans.(Food Packaging)
January 1, 2004... A funny thing happened on Wegmans Food Markets' way to selling rolls of irradiated ground beef: the novelty of the packaging and its no-leak virtue may be driving more sales than the added safety. The Rochester, N.Y.-based supermarket chain...

'Party kegs' await U.S. rollout.(Food Packaging)
January 1, 2004... Reserving a booth at the recent Pack Expo Las Vegas trade show was an error in judgment engineer Gerd-Albrecht Graf of Cool-System Bev. GmbH frankly admits. That's not a knock on the show itself or traffic at Cool-System's booth, which was...

Valve control top.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Bardiani USA/ProTherm Engineering's Giotto control top accommodates three air solenoid valves for mix proof valves and two proximity or micro switches. The unit has a designated slot for a network card, which can be supplied in various...

Aseptic carton.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... According to Tetra Pak, it offers the first ever aseptically packaged hollandaise sauce and creme brulee, which will allow these products to remain fresh for up to 10 months without refrigeration or preservatives. The products are packaged in...

Index metering adjustment.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Spraying Systems Co. says the index metering adjustment for its 1/4JAU automatic air atomizing nozzle delivers increased accuracy and reliability. By turning the unit's metering knob, users can control the percentage of total flow in five...

In-line mixer.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered to maintain short residence times, Jongia's in-line mixer can mix small quantities of additives in a relatively high, continuous process stream in a brief time, according to the company. Available in various sizes, the mixer has a...

Copolyester resins.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered to combine portability with optical clarity, Eastman Chemical's copolyester resin enables beverage packers, brand owners and processors to create convenient, clear-handled, multi-serve containers for 64-oz. to 128-oz. beverages. The...

Water filtration.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Aria water treatment and Septra CB water filtration systems from Pall Systems remove contaminants from incoming water and process it to levels exceeding water quality standards set by the FDA and EPA, according to the company. The Aria...

Software with traceability.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... CSB-System software features traceability down to the sub-lot or even the carcass level, according to the company. It offers real-time access to traceability information, on-line viewing, reports generated on demand, and coverage extending from...

Thermoform rollstock packaging.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Multivac's latest model R530 thermoform rollstock packaging system features reduced flat surfaces, hermetically sealed hollow components and one-piece construction of several parts to avoid crevices and water collection points. The unit meets...

Overhead sizing and distribution.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The poultry cut up overhead system from Gainco allows birds left over from the whole bird distribution processes to remain on the line to be halved and quartered. The birds are hung from both legs and rotated according to requirements for...

Small flange zipper packaging.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Zip-Pak's in-line and RD applicators are available for small flange (1/2-in.) zippers. The in-line applicator fits under the infeed conveyor while the RD applicator fits onto the side of horizontal flow-wrapping machinery. Both applicators...

Motion-based software platform.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Visual Motion 10, Bosch Rexroth's motion-based platform, uses an integrated IEC61131-3 compliant, multitasking PLC that allows for combined motion and logic on a single hardware and software platform. Up to 32 PPC controllers can be connected...

Synthetic lubricants.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Anderol's synthetic and PQ white-oil based food grade lubricants meet FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 and NSF standards. The products offer good water washout and steam resistance, anti-wear properties, and rust and oxidation resistance, according to the...

Smart system camera.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Used for machine vision inspections, DVT's Legend 510 SmartImage camera is available with free software licenses and upgrades; free classroom, online and CD-based training; and free online support. The 510 will operate with DVT's Windows-based...

In-line filters and strainers.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Designed for the removal of unwanted particles from process line content, Top Line's Free-Flo in-line stainless steel filters and strainers protect pumps, valves, heat exchangers and other processing equipment. The strainers are available in...

Case packer for meat trays.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Fabricated in stainless steel with washdown components, Pearson's CR900 series case packer can load all known case-ready tray sizes and patterns into shipping containers at speeds up to 100 trays per minute. It has a small footprint, can be...

Micro fittings and valves.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Bradford's 1/2-in. and 3/4 in. micro fittings and valves are made of 316L stainless steel. Fittings available include: three styles of clamps; several ferrule configurations; adapters for use with hose, weld, clamp or pipe connections; elbows...

Processing line software.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... FMC FoodTech's LINK is a controls and software program designed to increase the long term productivity of a processing line of coating equipment, conveyors, fryers, ovens and freezers. LINK consists of four modules: control system, process...

Robotic case packer.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Able to group and pack up to 300 flexible packages into cases per minute, Hi-Speed Check-weigher's Robocaser case packer offers several product-collating options including single belt, dual indexing belts and servo-controlled racetrack style....

Drive for metering pump.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... An integrated DC motor and controller is available for small metering, dosing and transfer pumps from seepex. The 120 VAC powered controller provides current and internal circuitry for low-flow, run dry and high-pressure protection devices. The...

Integrated motor drives.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Sixteen IP 55 rated washdown integrated motor drive models are available from TB Wood's. The white epoxy TENV enclosures are totally enclosed and non-vented to meet IP55 standards for dust protection and 360-degree water resistance. The one,...

Cross-flow membrane filtration.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Alfa Laval's cross-flow membrane filtration and separation solutions include four types: micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration and reverse osmosis. They are typically used in dairy, juice, beer, egg, gums, protein and blood...

Compressed air vacuum cleaners.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Nilfisk-Advance America's CFM R series of industrial vacuum cleaners collect large quantities of packaging scraps and lateral trim when integrated with cutting and other packaging equipment. The vacuums capture cardboard, foil and paper...

Low mist spray system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered for spraying low volumes of viscous liquids like chocolate, butter, margarine, release agents, oils and syrup, the AccuCoat low mist spray system operates at minimal air and liquid pressures. By reducing operating pressures and...

Food grade motors.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Rockwell Automation's Allen-Bradley MP-Series Food Grade Motors (MPF Motors) are available with continuous stall torque of 1.6 to 19.4 Nm (14-173 lb-in.) and include a shaft seal with a hardened wear sleeve for long life. IP66 and IP67-rated...

Detector with high washdown rating.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Thermo Electron says its DSP IP metal detection system is impervious to high-pressure washdown. The DSP IP exceeds the IP69k standard that specifies proof against ingress of water from jets at 1450-psi and at temperatures up to 80[degrees]C....

Round bar can transfer table.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Adjustable for both height and wear, the Angelus stainless steel round bar can transfer table moves cans from the filler to the seamer. The machine's design uses four points contacting the bottom of the can to reduce the amount of friction and...

High drop point lubricants.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Haynes 500 Plus is a synthetic food-grade lubricant designed with a high drop point (500[degrees]F). It is suited for higher and lower temperature extremes that are common in high-speed bearings. The lubricant will also reduce lubrication...

Compact splicing connector.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered to be a more flexible alternative to traditional twist or crimp style connectors, WAGO's 222 splicing connector enables users to terminate and re-terminate a range of wire sizes and types. The company says it uses true cage clamp...

Constant pressure valve.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Designed to maintain a constant pressure at the valve inlet, Sudmo's constant pressure valve is available in sizes from 1.5-in. to 4.0-in. and has a stainless steel regulating cone. The valve can be used in any process where it is necessary to...

Machine vision system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... NetSight II integrated machine vision systems from ipd are designed for rapid deployment in plant floor applications. Non-real time operating systems and delays caused by network traffic are two areas where both industrial PCs and smart cameras...

Heavy-duty palletizing robots.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The M-410iB from FANUC Robotics is designed for precise, high-speed, heavy payload case and bag palletizing, depalletizing, layer handling, press tending, machine load/unload and part transfer. It features a four-axis, modular construction with...

Plate-making system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The plate-making system for flexographic printers from Greydon prints variable data such as sell by, use by, and freeze by dates. The system gives users complete control over artwork and enables production and packaging departments to respond...

Ultrasonic cryoscope.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... RL Instruments' ultrasonic 10S automatic 10 sample cryoscope determines freezing point plateaus for the amount of added water in milk. The unit offers a precision of +/- 0.1 milli-hortvet and uses a consistent freezing pulse to eliminate...

CAP spindles.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Brookfield Engineering offers more spindles for use with its CAP cone and plate viscometers. The spindles increase the shear rate measurement range of the company's CAP 1000+ and CAP 2000+ viscometers, offering a shear rate range from 10 sec-1...

Vertical blender.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Designed for blending easily degradable solids, the Ross vertical blender features a mixing screw that rotates around the cone's periphery and simultaneously lifts materials from the bottom to the top of the blender. This dual blending action...

High capacity homogenizer.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Capable of functioning at rates from 10,000 to 50,000 liters per hour, the Rannie/Gaulin 185Q homogenizer from APV offers low energy and water consumption. It is equipped with a micro-gap valve that is capable of operating at reduced pressure...

Level transmitters.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... KSR Kuebler's level transmitters are engineered for continuous, remote liquid measurement. Using magnetostrictive float technology, the unit takes current impulses from a magnetized float to offer measurements of liquid levels. Foaming,...

Milk process analyzer.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The FTPA2000-DA20 milk process analyzer from ABB measures fat and protein in flowing milk. It is engineered to provide real time control of milk blending for cheese, yogurt and derived milk drink processes to increase yield and quality...

Fruit spreading machine.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The servo driven fruit spreading machine from Hinds-Bock dispenses and spreads delicate fruit products containing large particulates such as cobbler and pie filling without damaging the large fruit pieces. The company says the unit provides...

Ice cream filler.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... DariFill Inc.'s new Gemini two lane ice cream filler can fill up to 250 cups per minute and perform integrated cup packing. Designed to address labor reduction, manufacturing hygiene and rugged plant conditions, the integrated packing system...

Continuous gravimetric blenders.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The K4G Blender features the K-Tron Bulk Solids Pump feeder, four different types of feeders that can be used with the system, a stand design that permits rearrangement of the various feeders, and a compact blender frame with integrated support...

Automated bag loading.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Cryovac's BL-125 vertical bag loader for fresh red meat is fully automatic, gravity-assisted and offers speeds up to 22 cycles per minute. It can package meat in 7-in.to 9-in. boxed or rolled up taped bags. The unit is especially designed for...

Optical sorter.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Optyx sorter from Key Technology features high-density illumination, intelligent ejection, and a single, top-view camera that sees the entire belt width. Sorting criteria can be easily set, adjusted, stored and retrieved for fast product...

Boiler stack system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Boiler Stack Economizer from Kemco uses energy-efficient heat transfer technology to produce a plant's hot water. It features a stainless steel construction, life expectancy of 20 years, non-restricted water capacity and boiler stack...

X-ray inspection equipment.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Designed to detect contaminants in pumpable meat, poultry, pork, turkey, soups and slurry products, Loma Systems' X3 line of X-ray inspection equipment uses AutoTrack technology, which captures images up to 2,500 scans per second with analysis...

Perforated flat top conveyor belt.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Habasit AG's M2511 perforated flat top conveyor belt is a one-inch plastic modular belt designed for applications requiring small openings (16 percent open area). It features a smooth underside, radiused topography and a camshaped hinge...

Laser coders.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... MARKEM Corp.'s SmartLase 110 and 130 are digital, compact carbon dioxide laser coders designed for use on primary packaging such as cartons, labels, glass and PET bottles. The units feature a single point of control, compact size and variable...

Non-contact inspection system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Inex ProLaser measures critical container dimensions of consumer packaging including height, weight, body dimension, finish, thread and identifying defects such as lean, tilt and out-of-round. Using a laser based system, the unit performs...

Low-voltage AC drives.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... ACS8000 low-voltage AC drives from ABB combine performance, programming power and flexibility in a new enclosure that can be used across a full range of food and beverage processing applications such as sugar centrifuges, steam fans and...

Vertical flow metal detector.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered to detect and remove ferrous, nonferrous and stainless metal contaminants from gravity fed powder or granulated products, the E-Z Tec DSP low profile vertical reject metal detector system from Eriez features remote controls that can...

Mobile bag dump system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The self-contained, dust-free bag dump system from Flexicon integrates a receiving hopper, dust collector, bag compactor, flexible screw conveyor, and explosion proof electrical system. The bag-dump station uses a high velocity vacuum fan to...

Single screw compressors.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Cool Compression series of industrial refrigeration single screw compressors from Vilter Manufacturing use direct contact heat transfer to cool the compressor oil right in the oil separator, eliminating the need for an air cooler. The...

Mobile training platform.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Safeline's mobile training platform features three conveyorized metal detectors of differing frequencies including Safeline's Powerphase Plus, an ultra-high frequency metal detector. In addition to a comprehensive training program, the platform...

Tube welding power supply.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Engineered to make data entry easy and convenient, Arc Machines' orbital welding power supply technology features Windows-based software, a color touch screen, and a built-in printer. The software includes automatic weld and tack weld program...

Protective gloves.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The expanded Polar Bear PawGard line from Ansell Occupational Healthcare includes lightweight and heavyweight options. The gloves and sleeves are made with multiple strands of Spectra and other high-tech fibers. When worn with Ansell's Sol-Vex...

Roll-fed labelers.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... The Marathon series of roll-fed labelers from B&H Labeling Systems offers SMARTdrive, a digital, multi-axis servomotor control. An advanced interface and high degree of automation in the labelers reduce operator decision making. To synchronize...

Weigh batch/blend system.(Technology Sourcebook)
January 1, 2004... Flexicon's weigh batching/blending system pneumatically receives and weighs multiple free-flowing bulk materials while blending previous weigh batches and shortening cycle times. The filter receiver of the pneumatic conveying system is mounted...