A machine for applying a granular food coating to a food upon a conveyor is provided. The machine includes an endless belt conveyor, and a looped elevator disposed around the first conveyor. The elevator includes a plurality of plates that are moved around the perimeter of the conveyor. The plurality of plates are disposed in a substantially vertical orientation when traveling above and below the first conveyor and the plurality of plates are in a substantially horizontal orientation when traveling in the upward direction. The plurality of plates are configured to receive granular food thereupon when traveling in the upward direction, and the food thereupon falls downwardly from the plurality of plates when the plurality of plates travel above the first conveyor, wherein a portion of the granular food falling from the plurality of plates eventually falls onto food that travels along the first conveyor below the plurality of plates.
A23P 20/13 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture comportant l’agitation du produit alimentaire à l’intérieur d’un appareil rotatif, p. ex. dans un tambour
A method to identify a desired portion of a food block to be pressed is provided. The method includes preparing an image of a food block, the food block provided within a system that is adapted to cut the food block into a size that is desired for sale, and in some embodiments for cutting into multiple smaller salable pieces. A rectangle is identified for cutting a block of meat within a projection of the food block within the image, wherein the rectangle includes a possible front end cut, a possible right side cut, a possible left side cut, and a possible rear side cut. Various adjustments to the positioning and the size of the rectangle are considered based upon one or more identifiable aspects of the food block from the image, and establishing a final cutting geometry with a final front end cut, final right side cut, final left side cut, and final rear side cut.
A method to identify a desired portion of a food block to be pressed is provided. The method includes preparing an image of a food block, the food block provided within a system that is adapted to cut the food block into a size that is desired for sale, and in some embodiments for cutting into multiple smaller salable pieces. A rectangle is identified for cutting a block of meat within a projection of the food block within the image, wherein the rectangle includes a possible front end cut, a possible right side cut, a possible left side cut, and a possible rear side cut. Various adjustments to the positioning and the size of the rectangle are considered based upon one or more identifiable aspects of the food block from the image, and establishing a final cutting geometry with a final front end cut, final right side cut, final left side cut, and final rear side cut.
An apparatus for preparing a plurality of uniformly formed food products. The apparatus includes a rotatable mold plate with a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids are collected into one or more sets of voids in close proximity to each other. A first cover plate is fixed with the mold plate rotatable about the first cover plate. First and second apertures are disposed through the first cover plate, wherein each void of the plurality of voids. A vacuum is applied to the void through the first aperture and flowing food enters the void through the second aperture. The first cover plate has an empty space or is sized to expose a portion of the mold plate. A knock-out assembly is disposed with respect to the voids when outside of the first cover plate, wherein the knockout assembly interacts with voids to remove food patties from the voids.
An apparatus for preparing a plurality of uniformly formed food products. The apparatus includes a rotatable mold plate with a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids are collected into one or more sets of voids in close proximity to each other. A first cover plate is fixed with the mold plate rotatable about the first cover plate. First and second apertures are disposed through the first cover plate, wherein each void of the plurality of voids. A vacuum is applied to the void through the first aperture and flowing food enters the void through the second aperture. The first cover plate has an empty space or is sized to expose a portion of the mold plate. A knock-out assembly is disposed with respect to the voids when outside of the first cover plate, wherein the knockout assembly interacts with voids to remove food patties from the voids.
An apparatus for preparing a plurality of uniformly formed food products. The apparatus includes a rotatable mold plate with a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids are collected into one or more sets of voids in close proximity to each other. A first cover plate is fixed with the mold plate rotatable about the first cover plate. First and second apertures are disposed through the first cover plate, wherein each void of the plurality of voids. A vacuum is applied to the void through the first aperture and flowing food enters the void through the second aperture. The first cover plate has an empty space or is sized to expose a portion of the mold plate. A knock- out assembly is disposed with respect to the voids when outside of the first cover plate, wherein the knockout assembly interacts with voids to remove food patties from the voids.
A method for identifying and removing tissue from a food product that includes generating a three-dimensional model of a food product using a scanner and mapping the three-dimensional model onto the food product. The method also includes scanning the food product such that cross-sectional scanning images are generated based on the model, and, for each cross-sectional scanning image, determining a maximum thickness of the model and identifying a corresponding estimated tissue point, by using an identification method based on suitable characteristics of the food product model. The method includes fitting a curve to the estimated tissue points and generating a cut path based on the fitted curve, wherein the cut path defines an area of unwanted tissue that includes the estimated tissue points. The method further includes cutting the food product along the cut path, thereby, removing the area of unwanted tissue.
An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.
A23P 20/13 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture comportant l’agitation du produit alimentaire à l’intérieur d’un appareil rotatif, p. ex. dans un tambour
A23G 3/20 - Appareils à enrober ou fourrer les sucreries ou la confiserie
A method for identifying and removing tissue from a food product that includes generating a three-dimensional model of a food product using a scanner and mapping the three-dimensional model onto the food product. The method also includes scanning the food product such that cross-sectional scanning images are generated based on the model, and, for each cross-sectional scanning image, determining a maximum thickness of the model and identifying a corresponding estimated tissue point, by using an identification method based on suitable characteristics of the food product model. The method includes fitting a curve to the estimated tissue points and generating a cut path based on the fitted curve, wherein the cut path defines an area of unwanted tissue that includes the estimated tissue points. The method further includes cutting the food product along the cut path, thereby, removing the area of unwanted tissue.
An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.
A23P 20/13 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture comportant l’agitation du produit alimentaire à l’intérieur d’un appareil rotatif, p. ex. dans un tambour
A23L 7/157 - Granulés farineux pour apprêter la viande, le poisson ou les aliments similaires
A21C 9/04 - Appareils à épandre des matières granuleuses sur la surface des pièces ou des feuilles de pâte, ou pour enrober ou recouvrir celles-ci de ces matières
11.
Adjustable breading machine and method of operation
An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.
A23P 20/13 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture comportant l’agitation du produit alimentaire à l’intérieur d’un appareil rotatif, p. ex. dans un tambour
A23G 3/20 - Appareils à enrober ou fourrer les sucreries ou la confiserie
B05C 3/08 - Appareillages dans lesquels un ouvrage est mis en contact avec une grande quantité de liquide ou autre matériau fluide l'ouvrage étant immergé dans le liquide ou autre matériau fluide avec des dispositions spéciales en vue d'agiter l'ouvrage ou le liquide ou autre matériau fluide l'ouvrage et le liquide ou autre matériau fluide étant agités ensemble dans un récipient, p. ex. par brassage
A23L 13/50 - Produits à base de volaille, p. ex. saucisses à base de volaille
A23L 13/00 - Produits à base de viandeFarine de viandeLeur préparation et leur traitement
12.
ADJUSTABLE BREADING MACHINE AND A METHOD OF OPERATION
An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.
A23P 20/13 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture comportant l’agitation du produit alimentaire à l’intérieur d’un appareil rotatif, p. ex. dans un tambour
13.
ADJUSTABLE BREADING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION
An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.
A23P 20/12 - Appareils ou procédés pour appliquer des poudres ou des particules sur les produits alimentaires, p. ex. pour panerRevêtement avec des produits de revêtement comestibles, p. ex. avec des huiles ou des graisses de tels appareils combinés avec des moyens de pré-humidification du produit alimentaire ou de friture
A23L 7/157 - Granulés farineux pour apprêter la viande, le poisson ou les aliments similaires
A21C 9/04 - Appareils à épandre des matières granuleuses sur la surface des pièces ou des feuilles de pâte, ou pour enrober ou recouvrir celles-ci de ces matières
14.
Calibration apparatuses and methods for food processing machines
A calibration system for a food processing machine has a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece. A calibration object is conveyed through the food processing machine by the conveyor and scanned. A controller, with a memory, is in communication with the cutting device and the conveyor such that the controller can track position of the cutting device as the cutting device is moved into alignment with the calibration object and store calibration values on the memory corresponding to the movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. The controller is configured to calibrate movement of the cutting device relative to the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values to thereafter accurately cut the workpiece.
G06F 19/00 - Équipement ou méthodes de traitement de données ou de calcul numérique, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques (spécialement adaptés à des fonctions spécifiques G06F 17/00;systèmes ou méthodes de traitement de données spécialement adaptés à des fins administratives, commerciales, financières, de gestion, de surveillance ou de prévision G06Q;informatique médicale G16H)
G05B 19/402 - Commande numérique [CN], c.-à-d. machines fonctionnant automatiquement, en particulier machines-outils, p. ex. dans un milieu de fabrication industriel, afin d'effectuer un positionnement, un mouvement ou des actions coordonnées au moyen de données d'un programme sous forme numérique caractérisée par des dispositions de commande pour le positionnement, p. ex. centrage d'un outil par rapport à un trou dans la pièce à usiner, moyens de détection additionnels pour corriger la position
A47J 43/07 - Éléments ou parties constitutives, p. ex. outils pour mélanger ou pour battre
15.
CALIBRATION APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FOOD PROCESSING MACHINES
A calibration system for a food processing machine has a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece. A calibration object is conveyed through the food processing machine by the conveyor and scanned. A controller, with a memory, is in communication with the cutting device and the conveyor such that the controller can track position of the cutting device as the cutting device is moved into alignment with the calibration object and store calibration values on the memory corresponding to the movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. The controller is configured to calibrate movement of the cutting device relative to the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values to thereafter accurately cut the workpiece.
brevets
