Food Engineering articles from March 2005

Food Engineering archives from March 2005

Let's keep it real.(obeisty control)(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... On almost any night of the week, you can turn the television to the latest installment of so-called "reality television"--supermodels eating pig intestines, the boy-next-door running through the Amazon jungle, or twenty-somethings vying for...

Calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... MARCH 2005 21-23 Food Safety and Quality Update, Manhattan, KS; American Institute of Baking; 800-633-5137; www.aibonline.org. 21-24 Freezing Technology, Sandusky, OH; American Institute of Baking; 800-633-5137; www.aibonline.org. ...

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream began a $180 million expansion project that will triple the capacity of its Laurel, MD, manufacturing facility and include a state-of-the-art warehouse that will serve the eastern US. The project, which will create 300...

Crowley Foods.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Crowley Foods is expanding its Bristol, VA, cultured products plant. The $2.7 million project will facilitate the integration of Crowley's operations with HP Hood, which purchased Crowley and Kemps in 2004 from National Dairy Holdings.

Southern Wine & Spirits of America.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A $10.5 million, 640,000-sq.-ft. facility is being built in Lakeland, FL, by Southern Wine & Spirits of America.

Fonterra Cooperative.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Fonterra Cooperative opened a new milk component processing plant in the Hautapu region of New Zealand. The $15 million plant will incorporate milk protein fractionation technology, which will be used for extracting lactoferrin from milk.

Galvamet.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Galvamet, a manufacturer of factory insulated metal wall and roof panels, will begin construction of a new panel manufacturing plant in Shelbyville, IN, in August. Production capacity will be 12 million sq. ft. per year.

Barber Foods.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(warehouse facility)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Barber Foods began work on a multi-phase 210,000-sq.-ft, processing and warehouse facility in Portland, ME. Phase I consists of 60,000 sq. ft. of freezer and 13,000 sq. ft. of cooler renovations. Phase II will include utility upgrades and...

Threats to talent pools may create perfect storm.(Manufacturing News)(human resource management and business performance)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Impending baby boomer retirements, a widening skills gap driven by declining educational standards, and outdated and ineffective approaches to talent management are combining forces to produce a "perfect storm" that threatens the global...

Pay up or else.(Regulatory Watch)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The IRS is not the only government agency insisting that it be paid. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says it will not provide reimbursable services to establishments that have delinquent accounts and will pursue the collection of...

Hershey Foods.(Industry & People)(David West promoted and Christopher Baldwin appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Hershey Foods promoted David West from senior vice president, chief customer officer to senior vice president, chief financial officer. Christopher Baldwin was named senior vice president, global chief customer officer. Baldwin joins Hershey...

The Kellogg Co.(Industry & People)(James Jenness appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Kellogg Co. selected director James Jenness to succeed Carlos Gutierrez as chairman and chief executive officer following Gutierrez' nomination as US Secretary of Commerce.

Diageo.(Industry & People)(hired Larry Schwartz)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Diageo, parent company of Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff and other brand-name spirits, beers and wines, appointed Larry Schwartz president of US Spirits. Schwartz will also continue in his current role as president of key markets for Diageo...

Poore Brothers Inc.(Industry & People)(Richard Finkbeiner appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Richard Finkbeiner has been appointed senior vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer for Poore Brothers, Inc. Finkbeiner joins Poore Brothers with nearly 30 years of experience with manufacturing companies in the...

Altria Group.(Industry & People)(Dr. Harold Brown elected as board member)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The board of directors of Altria Group, the parent company of Kraft Foods Inc., elected Dr. Harold Brown to its board. Dr. Brown served on the Altria Board from 1983 until 2003.

V-Net Beverage Inc. and Fire Mountain Beverage Co. formed an agreement to extend the distribution of Fire Mountain's products.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... V-Net Beverage, Inc. and Fire Mountain Beverage Co. formed an agreement to extend the distribution of Fire Mountain's products through the V-Net network of national natural and specialty foods distributors.

Newport International.(Industry & People)(Andy Walton and Troy Turkin appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Newport International, parent company of Jack's Catch seafood products, appointed Andy Walton as president. Troy Turkin was named executive vice president of sales and marketing for the company.

Sara Lee.(Industry & People)(Christopher Fraleigh appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Christopher Fraleigh is chief customer and marketing officer at Sara Lee. Fraleigh joins Sara Lee from General Motors, where he most recently served as general manager of the Buick-Pontiac division.

PepsiCo will acquire General Mills' 40.5% ownership interest in Snack Ventures Europe, a joint venture between the two firms, for $750 million.(Industry & People)
March 1, 2005... PepsiCo will acquire General Mills' 40.5% ownership interest in Snack Ventures Europe, a joint venture between the two firms, for $750 million. The interest redemption will end the joint venture and its operation will become wholly owned by...

Vacuum packagers smile and say, "cheese!" Freshness and security drive processors to vacuum chamber systems.(Food Packaging)
March 1, 2005... WHETHER IT'S SERENDIPITY OR A DESIRE FOR GREATER FOOD protection, cheese processors are showing new interest in vacuum chamber systems from firms such as Multivac, Cryovac and Alcan Packaging, the new kid on the vacuum-chamber block. ...

Finally, a snack food that outshines its package.(Food Packaging)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... BILLED AS "THE THINKING PERSon's meal-in-a-bar," the $1.89 Origins Bar is based on the premise that substance trumps style. The validity of that theory will be tested as Midland, MI-based Wysong Corp. begins distribution to gyms, health food...

Managing your HACCP program: developing, implementing and maintaining a food safety program are essential elements to good business.(Food Safety)(Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
March 1, 2005... MORE AND MORE FOOD PROCESSORS, SUPERMARKETS AND ingredient manufacturers are going to their suppliers with a simple demand: if you want to sell to us, we expect that every product we buy will be manufactured under Hazard Analysis Critical...

Toasters and dryers.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... Aeroglide's AeroFlow air-impingement toasters and dryers use high-velocity air jets from an array of nozzles arranged above the conveyor, which impinge through the product bed, onto a non-perforated conveyor. This creates a gentle boiling...

Electric fryers.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... Ultrafryers Systems' models S & SC Ultrafryers offer all stainless steel construction. They are available in 14-in., 18-in. and 20-in. vat models with full-length front drainboards. A drain clean-out rod is included and the unit provides a...

Cheese testing oven.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Dairy Management Inc. has developed a processed cheese testing technique that allows cheese makers to develop products with sliceability, texture and melting properties. The method uses a small oven that blends and tests small batches of cheese...

Belt solution.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... The Series 900 Flush Grid Nub Top belt from Intralox was designed for companies that use steam pasteurizers to produce sheet pasta. The belt has large open areas that allow steam to flow through during the pasteurization process. The Nub Top...

Speed reducer coating.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Boston Gear's Stainless Bost-Kleen washdown protection treatment offers speed reduction in aggressive washdown applications. The company says the coating prevents wear and cracking caused by caustic chemicals, high-pressure washdowns and...

Frying system.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Heat and Control says its HeatWave frying system cooks nuts, prepared foods and other products with curtains of oil for uniform product quality, clean operation and the lowest system oil volume of any continuous fryer. The fryer conveys product...

Donut fryers.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... Donut Robot fryers from Belshaw deposit, fry, turn and dispense cake and yeast raised donuts automatically. Training and labor requirements are reduced while quality, repeatable donuts are produced consistently, says the company. A variety of...

Metal detector/ checkweigher.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Eriez' TSC 350, Sonic 350, 4693 and 4693i metal detector/in-motion checkweigher systems cover capacities from 0.002 lbs. to 200 lbs. with speeds from 40 to 350 units per minute. Conveyors are available in either stainless steel, painted mild...

Canning industry checkweigher.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Thermo Electron's Ramsey Teorema global checkweigher for the food canning industry features a patented configuration that allows the system to meet accuracy requirements of Europe's R-51 and the USA's Handbook 44 at line speeds up to 660 cans...

Tray sealer.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... Ossid's 300S tray sealer hermetically seals film to the lip of a standard, virgin foam tray and allows package fills of up to 1 1/2 in.above the lip. The sealer creates a leakproof lidded tray, which eliminates moisture flows at the underside...

Package checkweighers.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(4693i Intermediate Package checkweigher )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The 4693i Intermediate Package checkweigher from Thompson Scale is designed for institutional and packaged food manufacturing and weighs products from 0.5 kg to 50 kg with conveyors speeds in excess of 250 ft./min. The device offers production...

Liquid heating system.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The K5 Autopilot from Hydro-Thermal allows adjustments to be made to the product flow path of a KS00 series Hydroheater without local operator intervention. Designed for use in variable flow processes, the K500 series heater enables adjustments...

Disinfection system.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Quantum from Aquionics is a compact disinfection system designed for small-flow process water applications. UV disinfection improves product quality by controlling microbial contamination in the rinse, chase, dilution and product water, and...

Dual shaft mixer.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Charles Ross & Son's dual shaft vacuum mixer is for the mixing and dispersion of medium- to high-viscosity food materials such as salad dressing, fillings, flavorings and coatings. The anchor and high-speed disperser combination handles batches...

Hybrid bearings.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Hybrid bearings combine silicon nitride (ceramic) rolling elements with steel rings to provide lighter, harder and more durable alternatives to conventional all-steel models, says SKF, the manufacturer. The hybrid ceramic balls are 40% less...

Bottle filling system.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Hinds-Bock's family of bottle filling equipment is suitable for products ranging from thin brine to viscous soups with large particulates. A variety of features are available, including neck centering for locating narrow neck bottles,...

Spiral oven.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Heat and Control says its Twin-Drum Spiral Oven cooks faster and delivers higher product yields and greater production output because the cooking environment is independently controlled for each spiral drum. Two-zone cooking control is achieved...

In-motion checkweigher.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)
March 1, 2005... Vande Berg Scales says its checkweighers perform the same statically (belts not moving) and in-motion (belts running). The units allow users to stop the belts and accurately calibrate the scale using known test weights. They feature a modular...

Shrink film.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Bollore Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Bollore says its Bolphane BZ and BLG cross-linked shrink films provide strong, durable seals as well as impact and tear strength. The cross-linking process enables the shrink films to work on a variety of product applications and machinery. BZ...

Heat exchangers.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The TS Series of steam heater plate heat exchangers is the first gasketed plate heat exchangers designed specifically for use with steam, says Alfa Laval, the manufacturer. The series is suitable for utility steam heating duties in the food...

Leak detectors.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... LeakMatic in-line and LeakPointer stand-alone non-destructive package leak detectors from PBI-Dansensor monitor packages to provide a water-free leak test of shipping cases and individual boxes containing meat, pasta, bread, cheese and other...

Steam generator.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Blue Steam industrial steam generator from AmeriVap Systems is a portable dry-steam deep-cleaning and sanitizing system that delivers saturated dry steam above 220[degrees]F with 150 psi. Using aeriform aggregation, the unit has propagation...

Laser coders.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The SmartLase 1100 "s" series of laser coders from Markem provides a low-cost laser coding solution suited to harsh washdown environments in food processing and packaging plants. The laser coders are enclosed in stainless steel and rated for...

Food former.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(NuTEC 780 forming machine )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The NuTEC 780 forming machine can produce up to seven 1/4-lb. patties in each row. The 34-in. wide model runs at 65 strokes per minute. With dual knockout and double-row mold plate, the unit deposits rows of patties two times per cycle....

Sorting system foundation.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Key Technology's G6, a modular electro-optical foundation for Tegra and Optyx optical sorting systems, features a modular vision engine and an array of monochromatic, color and VIS/IR cameras. The platform features connectivity standards such...

Resin for shrink sleeve labels.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(K-Resin RK54 SBC )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... K-Resin RK54 SBC from Chevron Phillips provides low-temperature shrinkage control and conformity for shrink-sleeve labels while maintaining clarity, gloss and stiffness. Due to its lower density, the resin provides a higher yield advantage than...

Small footprint cartoner.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Econoseal Pegasus cartoner from EconoCorp offers a combination of a large size range with speeds of up to 120 cpm, in a small footprint. The base frame of this model is 115-in. long by 30-in. wide. EconoCorp Inc.; 781-986-7500;...

Labeling process.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Endura Shrink labeling process )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... B&H Labeling Systems'Endura Shrink labeling process combines high-speed, roll-fed labeling with the BH700 Shrink System to label contoured containers. The company says the process reduces costs when compared to traditional shrink sleeve...

Case erector.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A-B-C's Model 450 case erector/bottom sealer provides non-stop 55 case-per-minute operation. The machine frame is a closed-loop design of heavy-gauge steel. The case drive is all mechanical and powered by a 3 hp main drive. The case-sealing ram...

Bulk box.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Buckhorn's ProPack is a 48 in. x 25 in. x 26 in. high bulk box. The smooth-sides, stack-only container stores long and odd-sized materials and products up to 500 lbs. Features include double-wall construction reinforced with urethane foam,...

Laser marking product.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Sherwood Technology)
March 1, 2005... DataLase Clear from Sherwood Technology is an additive that can be dissolved into solvent-based coatings to mark images directly into transparent materials, resulting in a high-speed solution for coding, marking and printing. The solution...

Pouch handler.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(AutoPak Engineering Corp)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Floating Pouch Handler from AutoPak handles sealed pouches and flexible packages containing products like juices and sauces. The sys tem is designed to transfer pouches from indexing to continuous motion equipment or vice-versa. It places...

Vision sensor.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Checker 101 is an inexpensive sensor that can visually detect the presence of items during the manufacturing process, says Cognex, the manufacturer. The compact design provides illumination, optics, sensor, processor, memory and I/O...

High-speed counters.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Auto-bag Accu-Count 100 and 200 high-speed counters )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Automated Packaging System's Auto-bag Accu-Count 100 and 200 high-speed counters are automatic infeed systems that count and batch at speeds up to 2,500 packages per hour. The 200 model uses a vibratory bowl feed and count system that is...

RFID label applicator.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Auto Labe's model 110SR RFID label applicator incorporates RFID reader technology for encoding EPC data directly to an RFID label, prior to application. The unit is an apply-only solution for users who do not require online printing of RFID...

Digital multimeter.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Meterman Test Tools' PM series of ultra-compact digital multimeters offers user protection with UL safety ratings up to CAT III at 300V and CAT 11 at 600V. At 3/8-in. thick and less than 3 oz., the meters measure at/de voltage, frequency,...

Low-profile conveyor.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Conveyor Technologies says its open-side, low-profile conveyor offers a 2-minute belt change on small- to medium sized conveyors. On large conveyors, the quick-change design allows 95% or better time savings, according to the company. The...

Retensioning device.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The seepex stator retensioning device consists of an adjustable stainless steel sleeve with an internal rubber lining and a series of adjusting bolts. Depending on stator size, adjustable bolts can be on one or both sides of the longitudinally...

Air knives.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Republic Blower Systems )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Republic Blower Systems offers 2-in., 3-in. and 4 in. stainless steel air knives for food applications and 2-in. and 3-in. aluminum air knives. The company manufacturers the products on site and offers customized solutions, including various...

Filling machine.(Technology sourcebook: focus on ovens, dryers & fryers and checkweighers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Tetra Rex TR/22 filling machine is a low-investment carton packaging solution for entry into new chilled beverage markets and new categories such as soya and seasonal products. The company says the machine's hygiene standard and performance...

Manufacturing for mega-customers: giant retailers and foodservice outlets are reshaping the way you do business.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... When Burger King Corp. wanted to add individually packaged slices of Hershey's cocoa pie to its restaurant menu in 1997, regional pie manufacturer Edwards Baking Co. shrewdly invested in a proprietary technological advantage. Atlanta-based...

Higher appraised value: building a food plant is a little like gem polishing: square cut or pear shaped, the finished product's value depends on the talent and expertise brought to bear.
March 1, 2005... In a way, diamonds always mark the biggest company milestones for Kar's Nuts Inc. A lot of polishing and engineering elbow grease went into the snack company's latest gem, however. Detroit's Karpe family began roasting nuts in 1933 in the...

Controls and interfaces give your process a boost: numerous choices abound--defining which ones meet your needs will improve your success.(Tech Update)
March 1, 2005... FDA REGULATIONS ON ELECTRONIC RECORD KEEPING no longer apply only to pharmaceuticals. Because of the threat of bioterrorism, the FDA has given major food manufacturers until the end of this year to implement electronic record keeping as covered...

The cost of computing: network routing protocol saves Faribault Foods' 20% on its telecommunications bill.(Field Reports)
March 1, 2005... THE BT ACT, 21 CFR PART 11 AND OTHER REGULATIONS encourage food and beverage manufacturers to closely monitor and track data. Yet, sending and receiving data can prove costly. Faribault Foods, a canner and distributor of vegetable and meat...

Do the linear motion: little Eva would be impressed by the evolutionary changes in sanitary, linear-motion conveyors.(Engineering R&D)(Interview)
March 1, 2005... AROUND THE TEXAS HOME OF THE SVEJKOVSKY FAMILY, THE running joke is that horizontal motion conveyors aren't rocket science, but having a NASA engineer around to conceptualize the design doesn't hurt. P. Blake Svejkovsky has been around...