PET Food Processing - December 2018 - 58

EQUIPMENT

Continuous mixing
systems can reduce
labor costs, reduce
waste, improve
consistency, closely
manage product
temperature and
simplify the mixing
process.
Reading Bakery Systems

slurry mixing solutions for processors. This could include a
need for heat in the form of a live steam injection for kibble
production as well as the need to chill a product before
forming it into a desired shape. While Cozzini finds most
mixing applications in the industry are well suited to the
standard paddle stainless steel mixers, the company has
often designed, built and delivered highly customized processing lines that are tailored to its customers' individual
processing requirements. Cozzini works with customers to
match the right equipment to each application from a single mixer to an entire processing line capable of more than
40,000 lbs. of meat slurry per hour.
"A mixer can only process the volume inside it so it's
important to always keep the mixer mixing," says Jim
Gaydusek, US and Canada sales director for Cozzini.
"By providing the proper buffers and storage for incoming materials and finished blends, you can create a continuous process that's right for the customer."

ance is required because a lot of companies aren't sure
what they need," says Jay Parker, South Central territory
manager, Nu-Meat Technology, South Plainfield, New
Jersey. "There will be different needs depending if the
mix is all-protein versus grain."
For many pet food applications, Nu-Meat recommends Laska mixers, which have an intermeshing
paddle and paddle/spiral or Z-arms. Mixing is most
efficient with intermeshing paddles which create a
better mix in a shorter amount of time, Parker explains.
The stainless steel mixers are easy to disassemble with
cleaning carts and trolleys and can integrate with conveyors, belts or screws.
"There are so many crossovers in these industries,"
Parker says. "I recommend pet food processors work with
and ask questions of others working with protein-based
products and to get to know the resources from the Food
Processing Suppliers Association and the North American
Meat Institute when they're ready to learn more."

Look across industry lines
Pet food processors are also working with mixer manufacturers known for their expertise within the baking
and meat and poultry industries.
One company working to share cross-industry
knowledge is Nu-Meat Technology. Using its 23 years of
experience as a supplier of heavy-duty industrial food
processing and packaging solutions, Nu-Meat is teaming
with pet food processors to supply equipment suited for
meat and protein mixes in wet product.
"When it comes to selecting a mixer, some guid-

Match the application
Many pet food and treat formulations can be thick,
sticky and difficult to handle. Hauppauge, New Yorkbased Charles Ross & Son Co. offers small-batch processors special features designed to handle challenging
formulations. The 150-gallon Double Planetary Mixers
feature patented high-viscosity blades that move in a
planetary motion, rotating on their own axes as they orbit a common axis. In 36 revolutions around the vessel,
the two blades pass through every point in the product

"Mixing can be an imperfect science, so
it's important to keep variables constant."
Jeff Zeak, Reiser

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PET Food Processing - December 2018

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