Patent ID: 6589580
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: A01J,A23B,A23C,A23L,Y02A

Abstract:
A method of applying an antimycotic liquid spray to cheese chunks having a weight of 4 oz. to 16 oz. in a packaging line comprising:transporting cheese chunks on a conveyor from a first location to a second location in said packaging line at a speed of at least about 30 ft./minute without tumbling; providing a supply of antimycotic liquid material comprising natamycin; spraying said antimycotic liquid material onto external surfaces of said cheese chunks within enclosed spraying apparatus to inhibit mold growth on said cheese chunks, while said cheese chunks are transported without tumbling from said first location to said second location; and thereafter transferring said cheese chunks from said enclosed spraying apparatus to said downstream apparatus; wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of O-rings and a plurality of conveyor shafts, each of said conveyor shafts having a plurality of grooves therein for receiving said O-rings, said method further comprising removing liquid from at least one of said conveyor shafts by a wiper in close proximity thereto having ribs complementary to the grooves on said at least one of said conveyor shafts.