Joseph W Lester

US Patent:

40176436, Apr 12, 1977

Filed:

Apr 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/568865

Inventors:

Joseph H. Lester - Gresham OR

Assignee:

Western Food Equipment Company - Portland OR

International Classification:

A23C 700

US Classification:

426231

Abstract:

A process for standardizing milk is disclosed, which includes continuous separation of raw milk into cream and skimmed milk and immediate, continuous reblending of a portion of the cream with the skimmed milk to provide blended milk, while the remainder of the cream is recovered as a byproduct. The blended milk is continuously sampled and tested to determine its fat content and the actual fat content is continuously compared with a predetermined fat content. The amount of cream reblended with the skimmed milk is automatically regulated to provide the desired fat content in the blended milk product. Apparatus employed includes a separator, conduits for separately removing skimmed milk and cream from the separator which are interconnected to mix the desired portion of cream with the skimmed milk, a milk sampler for withdrawing blended milk samples, a milk fat content tester, an adjustable valve in the cream removal conduit, and a valve controller for controlling the rate of withdrawal of byproduct cream in response to the fat content of the blended milk determined in the tester.