Multi-faced probe and method of measuring the stickiness of cooked string pasta products

Testing apparatus for measuring adhesion of a sample comprising:

• means defining a surface for supporting said sample thereon;
• means positioned proximal to the sample for engaging the sample and restraining the same against separation from said supporting surface, said sample-restraining means including an element presenting at least one aperture therethrough, and a surface for engaging and holding said sample against said supporting surface;
• probe means including a sample-engaging surface configured for passage through said aperture and into contact with said sample;
• means operatively supporting said sample-engaging means and said probe means above said surface, including means operably coupled with said probe means for selective sample testing movement of said sample-engaging surface toward and through said aperture and into contact with said sample therebelow, and for disengagement of said sample-engaging surface and sample;
• and
• means operably coupled with said probe for measuring a parameter correlated with the force required for disengaging said sample-engaging surface from said sample.

Testing apparatus for measuring adhesion of a sample comprising:

• means defining a support surface for receiving the sample thereon;
• probe means including a sample-engaging surface;
• means for engaging said sample and restraining the same against separation form said support surface;
• means for shifting said sample-restraining means into contact with said sample, and for subsequently moving said probe into and out of engagement with the sample after the sample is contacted by the sample-restraining means, including means for operatively supporting said sample shifting means and said probe means above said surface;
• and
• means operably coupled with said probe for measuring a parameter correlated with the force required for moving said sample-engaging surface out of engagement with said sample.

Testing apparatus for measuring adhesion of a sample comprising:

• means defining a surface for said sample thereon;
• probe means including a plurality of respective, sample-engaging surfaces;
• means supporting said probe means for selectively and alternately placing each of said sample-engaging surfaces in a testing orientation adjacent said sample-supporting surface;
• means operatively supporting said sample-engaging surface and said probe means, including means operably coupled to said probe means for selective sample testing movement thereof in order to cause the respective sample-engaging surface thereof in said testing orientation to move into and our of contact with said sample;
• and
• means coupled with said probe for measuring a parameter correlated with the force required for disengaging said respective sample-engaging surface from said sample.