Food Engineering articles from November 2005

Food Engineering archives from November 2005

Look back to see forward.(EDITOR'S NOTE)(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... Every once in a while, I think it's a good idea to see where you have been in order to decide where you want to go. In today's world, food and beverage processors are focusing on the increased need for automation, pressing consumer demands,...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... NOVEMBER 2005 29-Dec. 1 PET Strategies 2005, Atlanta, GA; Packaging Strategies; 610-935-2183 or 610-436-4220 ext. 12; www.packstrat.com. 30-Dec.1 HACCP V: Effective Auditing of Your HACCP Plan, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Guelph Food...

John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc., a manufacturer Of packaged and bulk snack food products, Broke ground for a new 1 million-sq.-ft. office, Manufacturing and distribution facility in Elgin, IL. The company plans to relocate employees to The new...

Pepperidge Farm, Inc.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Pepperidge Farm, Inc. opened a 114,000-sq.-ft. warehouse attached to its existing production plant in Willard, OH, as well as a flexible packaging center at the adjacent Willard Industrial Park. The packaging center will produce a variety of...

The Georgia Institute of Technology.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Georgia Institute of Technology opened a new Food Processing Technology Building in Atlanta, GA. The $7.3-million, state-of-the-art facility houses more than 36,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space for the development of new and...

Get a life? No, get an automation strategy.(MANUFACTURING NEWS)(Emerson's Global Users Exchange Conference)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... "Got milk?" "Get a life!" These popular sayings may soon be replaced, at least in food and beverage operations circles, by a new mantra: Get an automation strategy. In addressing the food and beverage sector attendees at Emerson's Global...

More mad cow protection.(REGULATORY WATCH)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... FDA announced new measures to help protect consumers against the agent thought to cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease. The agency may amend its animal feed regulations to prohibit certain high-risk cattle materials...

Just the facts on FTA.(REGULATORY WATCH)
November 1, 2005... There was a bitter fight in Congress last summer over passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR), but the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) says the latest trade deficit numbers show it was...

Eric Foss has been elected chief operating officer of the Pepsi Bottling Group where he will oversee the company's US and Canadian businesses, worldwide manufacturing operations, corporate strategy and worldwide information technology.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Eric Foss has been elected chief operating officer of the Pepsi Bottling Group where he will oversee the company's US and Canadian businesses, worldwide manufacturing operations, corporate strategy and worldwide information technology. Most...

ConAgra Foods elected Gary Rodkin as president and chief executive officer and made him a member of its board of directors.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... ConAgra Foods elected Gary Rodkin as president and chief executive officer and made him a member of its board of directors. He was most recently chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America.

Ken Barbet has been named president of Big Rock Brewery. Formerly he was president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. acquired the Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses from the Deans Foods Co.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Ken Barbet has been named president of Big Rock Brewery. Formerly he was president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. acquired the Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses from the Deans Foods Co. The $198-million transaction includes...

Universal Food and Beverage Co.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointed Dr. Charles Sizer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Universal Food and Beverage Co. appointed Dr. Charles Sizer as vice president of research & development. His most recent position was director of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

The Hain Celestial Group is purchasing Spectrum Organic Products, Inc. Spectrum.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Hain Celestial Group is purchasing Spectrum Organic Products, Inc. Spectrum is a California-based manufacturer and marketer of natural and organic culinary oils, vinegars, condiments and butter substitutes, as well as essential fatty acid...

Dapec.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointed Mark Darby)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Mark Darby joined Dapec, a producer of poultry and food processing equipment, as operations manager.

BEMA, the baking industry suppliers association, and the American Bakers Association have formed a lobbying partnership to address the government regarding mutual baking industry interests.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Bakery Equipment Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... BEMA, the baking industry suppliers association, and the American Bakers Association have formed a lobbying partnership to address the government regarding mutual baking industry interests. BEMA also recently moved its administrative...

Food Products Association.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(named Dr. Craig Henry)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Dr. Craig Henry has been named senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs and chief science officer for the Food Products Association. Henry joined FPA in 2003 as vice president of food safety programs.

Hose pumps.(TECHNOLOGY SOUCEBOOK: Focus on Pumps and Valves and Heat Exchanges)(Watson-Marlow Bredel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Watson-Marlow Bredel's SPX 10 and SPX 15 hose pumps are designed to fit 10 mm and 15 mm hoses, respectively. The direct-coupled design features a twin bearing hub integrated into on the pumphead. The rotor is supported by its own bearings. This...

Valve automation.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Pumps and Valves and Heat Exchanges)(Dixon-Bradford)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Dixon-Bradford provides in-house custom valve automation to meet the special sanitary requirements of food, dairy and beverage plants. The aluminum rack and-pinion actuators provide a double-stroke adjustment of [+ or -] 5 degrees. Available in...

Food engineering's: food automation & manufacturing conference & expo 2006.(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... April 9-12, 2006 Sanibel Harbour Resort Fort Myers, Florida Sunday, April 9 12:30 p.m. Golf Tournament Join us for a relaxing day on the links. Fee includes green fees, cart, box lunch and beverages. 3:30-5:30 p.m....

Piston pump.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Micropump Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Micropump's Series PF valveless piston pump helps reduce clogging and allows consistent metering and dosing of even soft solid containing fluids. It features a reciprocating and rotating piston, which allows smooth, accurate and repeatable...

High-capacity homogenizer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Tetra Pak International AB)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Tetra Alex 35 homogenizer for beverage and dairy products handles flow rates up to 9,000 gph and pressures up to 5,800 psi. It is a five-piston, positive-displacement pump using a solid pump block. The machine includes a wet end, containing...

Sanitary valve.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... The SR 800 sanitary valve from Strahman eliminates the interior spaces where liquids and foreign matter can accumulate. The piston design uses O-rings behind a Teflon wall to improve sealing and self-cleaning. The piston completely fills the...

Pump replacement parts.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Tarby offers high-quality Tarby Titan C22 replacement parts that are interchangeable with the seepex BN series pumps. All C22 replacement parts endure thorough product testing by the Tarby staff, as well as certified independent technicians, to...

Positive-displacement pumps.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Fristam's FKL series high performance, positive displacement pumps are available with stainless steel rotors to handle a range of products. The pump's tight clearances provide better efficiencies and gentler handling of shear sensitive products...

Sanitary valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... IEDCO offers MEI valves for the handling of powders, granules, tablets and liquids in hygiene-conscious industries. Butterfly, rotary and tablet valves are available with manual or powered actuators. Available in 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12- in....

Butterfly valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Ultraflo Corp)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The 410/412 Series large-diameter, resilient-seated butterfly valves from Ultraflo offer features such as a bi-directional, bubble-tight, shut-off pressure rating of 150 psi, high Cv ratings, full isolation of body parts from line media,...

PTFE valve.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Plast-O-Matic Valves Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The compact PTFE Bellows solenoid valve from Plast-O-Matic Valves can be customized for high-purity liquid applications. The valve design is pressure balanced and rated for inlet pressures to 140 psi. Depending on the orifice size specified,...

General-purpose valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Valcor Scientific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Valcor Scientific offers a family of general-purpose solenoid valves for a range of fluid control solutions. Available in body materials that include stainless steel, brass and other options, the valves offer porting ranging from 0.25 NPT to...

Steam heater.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The EZ Heater from Hydro-Thermal is a direct steam injection heater that is used in any process where instantaneous hot water is required. The company says the unit can reduce energy expenses due to a 100% energy-efficient design. It eliminates...

Multi-port ball valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(A-T Controls Group)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The TRIAC Series 33, 43 and 53 stainless steel multi-port ball valves are for mixing, diverting and multi-directional flow control. Five-seat, full port construction provides equal seat loading and positive sealing at any port, while balls...

Diaphragm valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Hydra Cell's C60 Series regulating valves accommodate 0.75 in. to 1.25 in. NPT/BSPT plumbing. They provide flow from 0 to 40 gpm and can handle pressures from 75 to 2,500 psi with fluid temperatures to 200oo They are designed with a tapered...

Shut-off valve.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... The low-level, strut-off valve from Alemite is a small device that will shut off pneumatic fluid handling pumps when the material in the bucket or other container reaches a pre-determined level. The valve is mounted to the drum cover inside a...

Mini valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Fluid Transfer's fractional size in line, two-way and three-way divert, fluid flow ball valves are made of T-316 stainless steel. They are designed for corrosion resistant, sanitary applications. The company says solid construction provides...

Plate heat exchanger.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... The Tetra Plex C range of plate heat exchangers is designed for food processing applications with stringent requirements in plate heat exchanger technology and design. The frame and pressure plate are made of solid stainless steel. The carrying...

Condensate pump.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Spirax Sarco's Pivotrol PTF-HP pressure powered condensate pump is for steam system condensate recovery in rapid-cycling process environments under elevated pressure and temperature conditions. Power-Pivot technology replaces pins and linkages...

Pressure-relief valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Compact metal relief valves from Industrial Specialties can be pre-set from 0.5 to 150 psi with settings accurate to [+ or -] 5%. Brass relief valves are standard with optional materials of aluminum or 316 stainless steel. They are available in...

Vacuum system.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... The Vac-U-Max Model 2120 central vacuum system collects debris directly into a 55-gallon drum. It features a 36-in. diameter filter housing with 230 sq. ft. of filter area, comprising a cloth-to-air ratio less than 3:1. A Teflon coating...

Automatic pilot valves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... BASO's H15 Series automatic pilot valves are suitable for commercial cooking equipment and other standing pilot applications. The valves provide safe lighting and complete shut-off of pilot and main burner gas in the event that the flame...

Dual-shaft mixer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)
November 1, 2005... Model CDA 100 dual-shaft mixer and discharge system from Charles Ross & Son is used in the production of viscous, non-flowing products. The mixer combines a three-wing anchor with Teflon scrapers and a conventional disc-type, high-speed...

Segment valve.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Bolz-Summix inflatable seal ball segment valve handles difficult and severe process applications and delivers sealing for many types of process equipment operating under full vacuum or pressurized process conditions. The inflatable seal...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... On page 90 of Food Engineering's September issue, the reference to Waukesha Cherry Burrell is incorrect. The article should have read WCB Ice Cream. These companies are not affiliated.

Powering your bottom line: energy, where you get it and how you use it, may impact your bottom line more this year than ever before. With the right knowledge, food and beverage plants can dramatically reduce these costs.(ENERGY EXCLUSIVE)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... How many of your costs can you control? For most food processors, basic costs such as specific ingredients or equipment aren't variable. In most cases, you pay what the market dictates for these items to get the job done. Although energy is not...

A sugar mill found two partners made success twice as sweet.(La Union, S.A.)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... How a leading sugar producer turned excess electricity into added profit. With Rockwell Automation. Guatemala is a world leader in the sugar industry. More and more Guatemalan sugar producers have discovered an alternative source of...

Integrating CIP and process control: the combined system can provide information to suit regulators as well as the information to help your operation run more smoothly.(clean in place )
November 1, 2005... Along with an accounting of the procedures and ingredients that go into a batch, FDA and other regulatory agencies are asking for documented proof that production equipment is clean and free of bacteria before producers begin to make the next...

Building a bigger and better mixing facility: bag dump stations simplify clean-up and produce fast product changeover at Crest Foods.(Dry Processing Technology: Focus on Powder & Bulk Operations)
November 1, 2005... When Crest Foods Co.'s contract manufacturing division outgrew the space used to blend, mix and package dry food products in its Ashton, IL, facility, the company decided it wanted a space that was bigger, as well as better. Originally the...

Centrifugal sifter.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Gericke G308 is a lightweight and compact centrifugal sifter. It features interlocked hinged access doors; air-purged, double-lip seals; self-locating, quick-release basket assembly; captive end-door hand clamps and a compact under-slung...

Screw conveyor.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... Cyclonaire's FlexFlite flexible screw conveyors use steel augers and flexible tubes up to 100 ft. long to move dry solids at rates as high as 3,600 lbs./hr. They are suitable for conveying product from bags, bins, hoppers or weigh stations. ...

Limit switch.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... The Soliphant T FTM 20/21 single-red limit switch from Endress+Hauser is a point level switch for fine-grained or coarse-grained, non-fluidized bulk solids. The unit offers a tilted piezo drive inside the tip of the sensor rod and is...

Cartridge filters.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... Airlanco says its E-86 Series cartridge filters offer high filtration efficiencies in compact housings. The 8.6-in. diameter, spun-bonded polyester filter cartridges are washable and easy to replace. Cleaning is by an Airlanco pulse jet system...

Tube conveyors.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... Vibrating tube conveyors from Nu-Con are suitable for horizontal conveying of fragile agglomerated, instantized and standard powders. The company says it eliminates product degradation because material never contacts moving parts. The tube can...

Bulk bag unloader.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... Flexicon's half-frame bulk bag unloader relies on the user's forklift or plant hoist to suspend the bag above the unit during operation. The bag-to-hopper interface consists of a Spout-Lock clamp ring atop a pneumatically actuated Tele-Tube...

Pneumatic conveying.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... The IEDCO Volkmann vacuum conveying system provides a safe, hygienic and economical method of charging powders to reactors and mix tanks. The system clamps to a sanitary ferrule on the mix tank and is completely pneumatic. Industrial...

Bulk bag conditioner.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... This completely automated bulk bag conditioner from NBE reduces the hardened material's lump size within the bulk bag so it Can pass through the bag's discharge spout. Raising and lowering the hydraulic de-blocking rams as the turntable rotates...

Bag dump stations.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
November 1, 2005... Vac-U-Max bag dump stations range in size from 5 to 40 cu. ft. in capacity and are USDA accepted. They feature 316L stainless steel construction, continuous polished welds, gas assist door springs, removable bag break grate, dust hood with...

From the lab to the line.(ENGINEERING R&D)(Interview)
November 1, 2005... With the clock ticking toward a January mandate for package-label disclosure of trans fatty acid content in food, product formulators continue to tinker with substitutes that deliver the same functionality as hydrogenated fats and similar...