Shade Foods, Inc.

Michael L Talbot

James C Cross

Andrew L Nelson

A method and an apparatus for the preparation of composite food products is provided wherein the apparatus (,) has a conveyor (,), a pair of spaced-apart primary and secondary apertured rakes (,), a cooling tunnel (,), a cutting device (,) and a packaging system (,). In use, a first, relatively high viscosity food material (,) is deposited upstream of the primary rake (,) so as to drag or pull the first material through the rake (,) as continuous streams (,). The streams (,) are partially cooled and relatively low viscosity second material (,) is applied thereover adjacent the secondary rake (,). At the secondary rake (,), the second material (,) is pulled through the rake apertures to form continuous streams or sections (,) of the material (,) disposed around the inner sections formed by the streams (,). The composite streams are then cooled in the tunnel (,) and cut by the device (,).

Method of preparing a multifood component

Improved food products including cheeses, fruits, cookie materials, snack chips, and seasonings are provided which are highly shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperatures for long periods of time. The products have a total moisture content of less than about 5% by weight, and more preferably less than about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the ingredients used in the product. The products of the invention have a water activity of from about 0.2-0.3 and an average particle size of from about 0.0006-0.0012 inches (15-31 microns). The processes by which the products are made comprise subjecting the starting ingredients to two stages of average particle size reduction, wherein the first stage results in an average particle size of less than about 0.0090 inches (229 microns), and the second stage results in an average particle size of from about 0.0006-0.0012 inches (15-31 microns). In one embodiment, the particle size reduction is accomplished via a chocolate roll refining system which includes a two roll pre-refiner and a five roll refiner.

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Lenexa, KS, United States of America

Michael L Talbot